RHEUM: Arthritis Flashcards
Define rheumatoid arthritis
An autoimmune disease associated to Fc portion of IgG (RF) and anti-CCP
Describe the pathogenesis of RA in as much detail as you can
1) Citrullination of self antigens. These are recognised by T and B cells. T and B cells produce antibodies aka RF and anti-CCP.
2) Macrophages and fibroblasts get stimulated and release TNFalpha
3) Inflammatory cascade starts - causes proliferation of synoviocytes = these will grow over cartilage and cut off nutrition to it = damages cartilage !
4) Macrophages also stimulate osteoclast = get bone damage
Note: citrullination is just where amino acid arginine is converted to citrulline. This is v important bc citrulline is not one of the 20 amino acids in our DNA code - so leads to modification (here it causes RA!)
What is clinical presentation of RA?
Female gender (3:1). 30-50yrs Symptoms are progressive, peripheral and symmetrical polyarthritis Affects MCPs,PIPs, MTPs - does NOT affect DIPs Affects hips, knees, shoulders, c-spine History over 6 weeks Morning stiffness for over 30 mins. Commonly have fatigue, malaise
What can be found on examination in a pt with RA?
Soft tissue swelling and tenderness.
Ulnar deviation, or palmar subluxation of MCPs
Swan neck or/and Boutonniere deformity to digits
Rheumatoid nodules (usually on elbow)
Median N - carpal tunnel association
Name three investigations (or more!) you would consider for a pt with suspected RA
RF, anti-CCP, FBC, WCC, inflammatory markers, X ray or can do MRI or USS in early disease.
Why is a WCC done in blood test for suspected RA?
Can be elevated due to complication of septic arthritis
Why is FBC carried out as an investigation for RA?
May show normocytic anaemia which is a feature of chronic disease
How is RA initially treated?
DMARD monotherapy - methotrexate
Describe treatment you would discuss with patient recently diagnosed with RA
- DMARD such as methotrexate. Can discuss use of combination
- Steriods to be used acutely both orally or intra-articular
- NSAIDs + PPI to aid with symptom control
- Non drug options - OT/PT, podiatry, psychological
What are the extra-articular features of severe RA?
Remember with mnemonic CAPS: (come in 3s)
C - carpal tunnel, CVD, cord compression
A - anaemia, amyloidosis, arteritis
P - pericarditis, pleural dosease, pulmonary disease
S - Sjögren’s, scleritis, Splenic enlargement
What features are characteristically seen in an XRAY of RA?
LESS Loss of joint space Erosions (periarticular) Soft tissue swelling Subluxation
Patterns of Joint / Muscle involvement:
If joint involvement was symmetrical it would suggest ____(1)____
Whereas, asymmetrical joint involvement would suggest ___(2)_____ or ____(3)_____
(1) RA
(2) Gout
(3) Psoriatic Arthritis
Patterns of Joint / Muscle involvement:
Small joint only would suggest___(1)_____
Large joints only would suggest ___(2)____
Large and small joints would suggest ____(3)______
(1) Early stages of RA
(2) OA
(3) Late stages of RA
Give the medical term for describing the number of joints involved for the below:
(1) 1 joint
(2) 2-4 joints
(3) >4 joints
(1) monoarticular
(2) Oligoarticular / pauciarticular
(3) Polyarticular
List some causes of acute polyarthritis. Use categories below to give specific conditions
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Autoimmune arthritis
- Viral infection
- Crystal arthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis
- RA
- PsA
- Reactive arthritis - Autoimmune arthritis
- SLE
- Vasculitis - Viral infection
- HIV
- Parovirus
Chikungunya - Crystal arthritis
- UNcontrolled Gout
What are the causes of chronic monoarthritis? Use categories below to think of specific conditions
- Infections
- Inflammatory
- Non- inflammatory
- Tumours
- Infections
- TB - Inflammatory
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Foreign body - Non- inflammatory
- OA
- Trauma (meniscal tear)
- Osteonecrosis (prednisolone use)
- Neuropathic ( Charcots arthropathy ) - Tumours
- he says v rare!
What 2 conditions __(1)____ and ____(2)______can cause arthritis of the DIPJs?
In ___(1)___ changes will also be seen on the nail of the digit.
___(2)___ is the most common disease affecting this joint. ____(3)____ nodes can be seen on the DIPJ in this disorder.
(1) PsA
(2) OA
(3) Heberden’s Nodes affecting the DIPJ in OA
History taking - PMHS HISTORY of a rheum patient
Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy is associated with which 3 conditions?
A history of STI / diarrhoea could indicate what 2 types of arthiris
Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy is associated with:
- Anterior uveitis
- Psoriasis
- IBD
Hx of STI / Diarrhoea could indicate:
- reactive arthritis
- gonococcal arthritis
History taking - Social HISTORY of a rheum patient
SMOKING:
Smoking is implicated in causing and making ___(1)____more severe
Patients with ____(2)____ symptoms in the hands should be advised to stop smoking
Smoking is implicated in causing and making ___RA____more severe
Patients with ____Raynaud’s ____ symptoms in the hands should be advised to stop smoking
Compare and Contrast the features of Inflammatory vs Mechanical disease.
E.g. Morning stiffness / effect of activity / effect of resting / Fatigue/ systemic involvement
Inflammatory disease: > 1 hour morning stiffness Activity - improves Resting - worsens Fatigue - profound Systemic symptoms - yes
Mechanical Disease < 30 mins morning stiffness Activity - worsens Resting - improves Fatigue - minimal Systemic symptoms - no
History taking - Constitutional symptoms
What are some examples of constitutional symptoms?
What do they indicate? (3)
What are some conditions which may present with constitutional symptoms?
Constitutional symptoms
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
What do they indicate?
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Neoplasia
What are some conditions which may present with constitutional symptoms?
Ankylosing spondylitis (all)
GCA
SLE - fever
What are some extra - articular features of RA?
Mouth / Eyes
- scleritis
- Dry mouth / eyes
Skin
- subcutaneous nodules
Genito-urinary
- renal failure / hypertension
- Micro -haematuria / proteinuria
Neuro
- Compressive - e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
Cardio- Resp
SOB - alveolitis
What are some extra - articular features of RA?
Mouth / Eyes
- scleritis
- Dry mouth / eyes
Skin
- subcutaneous nodules
Genito-urinary
- renal failure / hypertension
- Micro -haematuria / proteinuria
Neuro
- Compresive - e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
Cardio- Resp
SOB - alveolitis
What gene are the Spondyloarthropathies associated with?
HLA - B27