Rheum 7.5 Flashcards
2ry prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women?
- start Rx in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fragility fractures confirmed to have osteoporosis
- vit D & calcium to all (unless confident they have adequate calcium intake and are it D replete)
- 1st line alendronate (25% don’t tolerate due to upper GI problems -> offer risedronate/etodronate)
- strontium ranelate & raloxifine recommended if pts can’t tolerate bisphosphonates
Osteoporosis management - guidelines for patients who don’t tolerate alendronate - what factors are taken into account?
- age
- T-score
- parental Hx of hip fracture
- etoh intake 4+units/day
- rheumatoid arthritis
Criteria for starting strontium ranelate or raloxifene for osteoporosis?
- only if any bisphosphonate not tolerated
- strict T-scores e.g. 60y.o. female T-score <3/5
Osteoporosis drugs licensed for prevention AND treatment of post-menopausal & glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis?
What type of fractures do they reduce the risk of?
- Bisphosphonates: alendronate, risedronate, etidronate
- reduce risk of Vertebral And non-vertebral fractures
- alendronate & risedronate superior to etidronate in preventing hip fractures
Mechanism of action of Raloxifene?
4 benefits in osteoporosis?
1 disadvantage?
1 risk?
- selective oestrogen receptor modulator
- prevents bone loss
- reduces risk of vertebral fractures (not yet shown for non-vertebral fractures)
- increases bone density in spine & proximal femur
- may reduce risk of breast cancer
X may worsen menopausal Sx
X increased risk of thromboembolic events
How does strontium ranelate work in osteoporosis?
3 high risks?
‘dual action bone agent’
- increases deposition of new bone by osteoblasts (promotes differentiation of pre-osteoblast to osteoblast)
- reduces resorption of bone by inhibiting osteoclasts
- increased risk of cardiovascular events (any CVD or significant risk is a C/I)
- increased risk of thromboembolic events (do not use if Hx of VTE)
- may cause skin reactions e.g. Stevens Johnson syndrome
How does denosumab work in osteoporosis?
- human mAb that inhibits RANK ligand -> inhibits maturation of osteoclasts
- SC injection / 6m
What is Teriparatide?
Significance in osteoporosis?
- recombinant form of parathyroid hormone
- v. effective at increasing bone mineral density but role inRx of osteoporosis yet to be defined
HRT in osteoporosis: benefits & risks?
- reduces incidence of vertebral And non-vertebral fractures
- NOT recommended as part of 1ry/2ry prevention of osteoporosis (only Ox for vasomotor Sx)
- increased rates of cardiovascular disease & breast cancer
What is shown to significantly reduce hip fractures in nursing home patients?
hip protectors
issue of compliance
What is McArdle’s disease?
genetics?
Features?
Decreased muscle glycogenolysis
- autosomal recessive type V glycogen storage disease caused by myophosphorylase deficiency
- muscle pain & stiffness after exercise
- muscle cramps
- myoglobinuria
- low lactate levels during exercise
- characteristically ass with a ‘2nd wind’ phenomenon
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis
- subtype
- distribution
- Ab
- common late complication affecting mortality?
- face & distal limbs predominately
- CREST: calcinosis, Raynauds, oesophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia
- anti-centromere Ab
- pulmonary hypertension
- malabsorption (bacterial overgrowth of small bowel)
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
- distribution
- Ab
- common complications
- trunk & proximal limbs
- scl-70 Ab
- HTN, lung fibrosis, renal involvement
- poor Px
What is scleroderma?
hardened, sclerotic skin & CT without internal organ involvement
- plaques = morphoea
- linear = coup de sabre
Ab in systemic sclerosis?
ANA + 90%
RF + 30%
anti-scl-70 diffuse
anti-centromere Ab limited
Swelling over posterior aspect of elbow, may be ass with pain, warmth, erythema
- typically affecting middle-aged male pts
Olecranon bursitis
Elbow pain that may be worse when elbow resting on a firm surface or flexed for extended periods
Elbow pain initially intermittent tingling in 4th & 5th fingers
Later numbness in 4th & 5th finger with ass weakness
Cubital tunnel syndrome
due to ulnar n compression
Elbow pain as a result of overuse, usually 4-5cm distal to lateral epicondyle
Sx may be worsened by extending elbow & pronating forearm
Radial tunnel syndrome
- most commonly due to compression of posterior interosseous branch of radial nerve
Elbow pain aggravated by wrist flexion & pronation, +/- numbness/tingling in 4th & 5th finger due to ulnar nerve involvement
- pain & tenderness localised to medial epicondyle
Medial epicondylitis
Elbow pain worse on resisted wrist extension with elbow extended or supination of forearm with elbow extended
- acute pain 6-12wks
- episodes can last 6m-2yrs
- pain & tenderness localised to lateral epicondyle
Lateral epicondylitis
What is Gout?
- chronic hyperuricaemia (uric acid > 450) leading to micro crystal synovitis
- caused by deposition of monosodium rate monohydrate in the synovium
Acute Rx of Gout?
- NSAIDs/Colchicine + PPI
- Cont. max dose NSAID until 1-2d after Sx have settled
- Colchicine has slower onset of action, dose can be ltd by diarrhoea
- Oral steroids e.g. Pred 15mg OD can be considered if NSAIDs/Colchicine C/I
- Intra-articular steroid injection also an option
- If already on Allopurinol, continue
Indications for urate-lowering in gout
- 2+ acute attacks in 12 months
- tophi
- uric acid renal stones
- renal disease
- prophylaxis if on cytotoxics/diuretics
BSR now advocates: Offer urate-lowering therapy to all after their FIRST attack of gout
Lifestyle modifications for pts with gout
- Reduce etoh intake and avoid during an acute attack
- weight loss if appropriate
- avoid food high in purines e.g. liver, kidneys, seafood, oily fish, yeast
How does colchicine work?
- inhibits microtubule polymerisation by binding to tubulin, interfering with mitosis
- also inhibits neutrophil motility & activity
Urate-Lowering therapy in gout
1st line
2nd line
Aim of Rx?
1st. Allopurinol - wait at least 2wks after acute attack of gout
2nd. Febuxostat if allopurinol not tolerated or ineffective (also xanthine oxidase inhibitor)
Start with Allopurinol 100mg OD - Lower if reduced eGFR
- titrate every few weeks to aim for serum uric acid < 300
- consider covering with colchicine for approx 6months, or said if not tolerated
Antihypertensive that may benefit in gout?
Vitamin that may benefit?
Losartan - has a specific uricosuric action - therefore may be particularly suitable if coexistent hypertension
Increased vitamin C intake may help decrease serum uric acid levels?
Commonest causative organism in septic arthritis?
What to consider in young sexually active adults?
Staph aureus
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Kocher criteria for Dx of septic arthritis?
- fever > 38.5
- non-weight bearing
- raised ESR
- raised WCC
Management of septic arthritis?
Aspirate synovial fluid
IV Abx 6-12weeks to cover Gram +ve cocci - Flucloxacillin or Clindamycin
Needle aspiration to decompress joint
Arthroscopic lavage may be required (i.e. if prosthetic)
Features of prolapsed lumbar disc/sciatica?
- leg pain usually worse than back
- pain often worse when sitting
- usually dermatomal leg pain ass with neurological deficits
Prolapsed lumbar disc:
- sensory loss over anterior thigh
- weak quadriceps
- reduced knee reflex
- +ve femoral stretch test
L3 nerve root compression
Prolapsed lumbar disc:
- sensory loss anterior aspect of knee
- weak quadriceps
- reduced knee reflex
- +ve femoral stretch test
L4 nerve root compression
Prolapsed lumbar disc:
- sensory loss dorsum foot
- weakness in foot & big toe dorsiflexion
- reflexes intact
- +ve sciatic nerve stretch test
L5 nerve root compression (sciatica)
Prolapsed lumbar disc:
- sensory loss posterolateral aspect of leg
- weakness in plantar flexion of foot
- reduced ankle reflex
- +ve sciatic nerve stretch test
S1 nerve root compression (sciatica)
Management of prolapsed lumbar disc?
- analgesia, PT, exercises, amitriptyline
- consider MRI if persists despite above
Mechanism of action of Azathioprine?
Metabolsied to active compound mercaptopurine - purine analogue that inhibits purine synthesis
- TPMT test before starting to look for pts prone to azathioprine toxicity
Adverse effects of Azathioprine?
When to use a lower dose of Azathioprine?
- bone marrow suppression
- nausea/vomiting
- pancreatitis
- If prone to toxicity, or if on Allopurinol (significant interaction)
What is Behcet’s syndrome?
complex multi system disorder ass with presumed autoimmune-mediated inflammation of arteries & veins
Behcet’s syndrome
- commoner in which people?
- ass with which alleles?
- eastern Mediterranean, men, 30% have a +ve FHx
- HLA B5(1), MICA6
Features of Behcet’s syndrome?
classic of triad of: 1. genital ulcers 2. oral ulcers 3. anterior uveitis also: - thrombophlebitis, DVT - arthritis - neuro: e.g. aseptic meningitis - GI: abdo pain, diarrhoea, colitis - erythema nodosum
Ocular involvement most feared complication - uveitis, retinal vasculitis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis
Dx of Behcet’s syndrome?
- clinical
- +ve pathergy test is suggestive (needle prick puncture site comes inflamed with small pustule forming)
Important RFs for osteoporosis?
- age
- female sex
- low BMI
- currently smoking
- ETOH XS
- RA
- Hx of glucocorticoid use
- Hx of parental hip#
Others: sendentary; premature menopause; Caucasians & Asians; endocrine disorders inc: hyperthyroid, hypogonadism, GH deficiency, hyperPTH, DM; myeloma, lymphoma; GI: IBD, malabsorption, gastrectomy, liver disease; CKD; osteogenesis imperfecta, homocystinuria
Meds that may worsen osteoporosis (other than glucocorticoids)
- SSRIs
- antiepileptics
- PPIs
- glitazones
- long term heparin Rx
- aromatase inhibitors
Ix for 2ry causes of osteoporosis - when to test?
- to exclude diseases that mimic osteoporosis e.g. osteomalacia, myeloma
- identify cause of osteoporosis & contributory factors
- assess risk of subsequent #
- select the most appropriate form of Rx
Ix recommended for 2ry cause of osteoporosis recommended by NOGG?
Others IF indicated?
- Hx & Ex
- FBC, U&Es for Cr, ESR/CRP, LFTs for liver transaminases & ALP & albumin, Ca & phosphate, TFTs
- DEXA: bone densitometry
Others:
- lateral XR of L&T spine/DXA-based vertebral imaging
- myeloma screen
- 25OHD, PTH
- testosterone, SHBG, FSH, LH, prolactin
- Cushing’s tests
- coeliac tests
- isotope bone scan
- markers of bone turnover
- urine calcium excretion
Causes of drug-induced lupus?
- Procainamide
- Hydralazine
- Isoniazid
- Penicillamine
- Minocycline
- Phenytoin
Features of drug-induced lupus?
- Abs that are positive?
- arthralgia, myalgia
- skin & chest involvement common e.g. malar rash, pleurisy
- ANA 100% +ve, dsDNA Negative
- anti-histone Ab 80-90%
- anti-Ro, anti-Smith +ve in 5%
- normal complement
- renal & neuro involvement unusual
What is avascular necrosis?
- death of bone tissue 2ry to loss of blood supply -> bone destruction & loss of joint function
- most commonly affects epiphysis of long bones
- initially aSx then leads to pain in affected joint
Causes of avascular necrosis?
- long-term steroid use
- chemo
- etoh XS
- trauma
Ix of avascular necrosis?
XR - often initially normal, may show osteopenia & micro fractures; increased density of femoral head if hip; collapse of articular surface may result in the crescent sign
MRI - Dx Ix of choice - more sensitive than radionuclide bone scanning
How do bisphosphonates work?
- analogues of pyrophosphate, a molecule that decreases demineralisation in bone
- they inhibit osteoclasts by reducing recruitment & promoting apoptosis
4 Clinical uses of bisphosphonates?
- prevention & Rx of osteoporosis
- hypercalcaemia
- Paget’s disease
- metastatic bony pain
5 Adverse effects of bisphosphonates?
- oesophageal: -itis, ulcers esp alendronate
- osteonecrosis of jaw
- inc risk atypical stress fractures of proximal femoral shaft in pts taking alendronate
- acute phase response: fever, myalgia, arthralgia
- hypocalcaemia (due to reduced calcium efflux from bone, usually insignificant)
Duration of bisphophonate Rx varies according to level of risk - can recommend stopping bisphosphonates at 5 years if what?
- < 75yrs
- femoral Tscore > -2.5
- low risk acc to FRAX/NOGG
What is Still’s disease?
systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Adult Still's disease: age? bloods & Ab? features? Rx?
- 16-35yrs
- raised ferritin, RF -ive, ANA -ive
1. arthralgia
2. rash: salmon-pink, maculopapular
3. fever: usually daily in late afternoon/early evening with worsening of joint Sx
4. lymphadenopathy - NSAIDs for fever, joint pain, serositis at least 1 wk before considering adding steroids
- Steroids may help Sx but don’t improve prognosis
- can consider MTX, IL-1 or anti-TNF if Sx persist
- Anakinra competitively inhibits the action of IL-1 by binding to the IL-1 receptor and plasma levels correlate well with IL-1 in synovial fluid and presence of synovitis.
What type of vasculitis is temporal arteritis?
Large vessel
- overlaps with PMR
- skip lesions on histology
Features of temporal arteritis?
- rapid/subacute onset < 1month, pt > 60yrs old
- headache, jaw claudication
- tender, palpable temporal artery
- visual disturbance 2ry to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
- 50% have features of PMR: aching, morning stiffness in proximal limb muscles (not weakness)
- also lethargy, depression, low-grade fever, anorexia,, night sweats
Ix in temporal arteritis?
- ESR>50 (<30 in 10%), CRP may be raised
- temporal artery Bx: skip lesions
- CK & EMG normal
1ry causes of gout?
Decreased renal excretion of uric acid (90%)
- drugs: diuretics
- ckd
- lead toxicity
Increased production of uric acid
- myelo/lymphoproliferative disorder
- cytotoxic drugs
- severe psoriasis
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: HGPRTase deficiency, x-linked recessive (only boys affected)
- gout, renal failure, neuro deficits, LD, self-mutilation
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
Other features?
acquired disorder with a predisposition to:
- venous AND arterial thromboses
- recurrent fetal loss
- thrombocytopenia
Other:
- livedo reticularis
- prolonged APTT
- pre-eclampsia
- pulmonary hypertension
Why is there a paradoxical rise in APTT in antiphospholipid syndrome?
- ex-vivor reaction of lupus anticoagulant autoAb with phospholipids involved in the coagulation cascade
Associations of antiphospholipid syndrome?
SLE
other autoimmune disorders
lymphoproliferative disorders
phenothiazines (rare)
Management of antiphospholipid syndrome:
initial VTE?
recurrent VTE?
arterial thrombosis?
- initial VTE: Warfarin 6m target INR 2-3
- recurrent VTE: Warfarin lifelong target INR 3-4
- arterial: Warfarin lifelong target INR 2-3
When to offer bone protection for risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis without doing a DEXA?
- If you envision a patient taking Prednisolone 7.5mg OD for 3months+
e. g. newly Dx PMR - Over 65 who has had a previous fragility fracture
Managing pts at risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis - offer bone mineral density scan in under 65s - Rx if T-score is
>0?
0 to -1.5
< -1.5
T > 0 Reassure
T 0 to -1.5 Repeat DEXA in 1-3yrs
T < -1.5 Offer bone protection
What is pseudogout?
Microcrystal synovitis caused by deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate in the synovium
Risk factors for pseudo gout?
- hyperPTH, hypothyroid, acromegaly
- haemochromatosis, Wilsons disease
- low Mg, low phosphate
Features of pseudo gout:
which joints?
on aspirate?
xray?
- knee, wrist, shuolders
- weakly-positive birefringent rhomboid shaped crystals
- chondrocalcinosis
Rx of pseudo gout?
- aspirate joint fluid to exclude septic arthritis
- NSAIDs or
- intra-articular/IM/PO steroids, as for gout
Osteomyelitis/Discitis - commonest cause?
commonest cause in patients with sickle-cell/Hbopathies?
Ix of choice?
Staph aureus
Salmonella
MRI sensitivity 90-100%
Rx of osteomyelitis?
Flucloxacillin 6 weeks
Clindamycin if allergic
Predisposing conditions for osteomyelitis?
- DM
- sickle cell
- IVDU
- etoh XS
- immunosuppression e.g. HIV/meds
What is Marfan’s syndrome?
- autosomal dominant CT disorder
- defect in FBN1 gene on chr 15 that codes for protein fibrillin-1
- affects 1/3000
- leads to a defect of the glycoprotein structure which usually wraps around elastin
Features of Marfan’s syndrome?
- tall stature, arm span:height > 1.05, scoliosis > 20degrees
- high-arched palate, arachnodactyly, pectus excavatum, pes planus
- heart: 90% aortic sinuses dilation which may lead to aneurysm, aortic dissection, A regurgitation, MVP 75%
- lungs: repeated pneumothoraces
- eyes: upward lens dislocation (superotemporal ectopia lentis_, blue sclera, myopia
- dural ectasia = ballooning of the dural sac at the lumbosacral level - may cause back pain with neuro problems e.g. bladder & bowel dysfunction
- life expectancy 40-50yrs improved by echo monitoring & beta blocker/ACE-I therapy
- aortic dissection etc leading cause of death
Extra-articular complications of rheumatoid arthritis?
- systemic
- resp
- cardio
- neuro
- ocular
- haem
- other
- fatigue, depression, increased risk of infections, osteoporosis
- fibrosis, effusion, nodules, MTX pneumonitis, pleurisy
- IHD, pericarditis, conduction defects
- carpal tunnel, mononeuritis, neuropathy
- sicca, epi/scleritis, corneal ulcers, kerattis, steroid cataract, chloroquine retinopathy
- normocytic anaemia, high platelets
- Felty’s (splenomegaly, low WCC), amyloid
What is discoid lupus erythematous?
- follicular keratin plugs, autoimmune
- benign, younger females, rarely progressive to SLE
Features of discoid lupus:
rash?
distribution?
heling?
- photosensitive, erythematous, papular rash, sometimes scaly
- face, neck, ears & scalp
- lesions heal with atrophy, scarring & pigmentation
Management of discoid lupus
Cons: avoid sun exposure
1st topical steroid cream
2nd oral anti-malarials e.g. hydroxychloroquine
Ab Immunology of SLE
- most specific?
- also highly specific?
- most sensitive?
- other?
- anti-Smith most specific (sens 30%)
- anti-dsDNA (sens 30%)
- ANA 99% +ve
- RF 20% +ve
- also anti-U1 RNP, SS-A (anti-Ro), & SS-B (anti-La)
Monitoring blood Ix of SLE?
inflam markers
complement
Ab
- ESR (CRP usually normal during active disease therefore if raised consider underlying infection)
- C3, C4a & C4b are low during active disease (formation of complexes leads to consumption of complement)
- anti-dsDNA titres can be used for disease monitoring if present
What is T score
What is Z score
T: based on bone mass of young female population
Z: adjusted for age & sex (ðnic factors?)
T score > -1.0?
-1.0 to -2.5?
< -2.5
normal
osteopaenia
osteoporosis