Rheum I and II Flashcards
cause of RA
- autoimmune
- triggered by T cell activation
- causes deformities and disability
synovitis and RA
- swollen, warm, stiff joints
- ALWAYS multiple joints
- symmetrical
- low back NOT involved
- tethering of tissues -> decreased ROM and erosion of joints -> deformity and loss of function
rheumatoid nodules
- usually found on pressure points
- elbow, heel, MCP joint
- nodule has central area of fibroid necrosis
- less fluid filled than cysts
common joints involved in RA
- c spine
- shoulders
- elbows
- hands and wrists (DIP spared)
- hip (later in disease)
- knee
- foot and ankle
boutonniere deformity
- assoc with RA
- flexion of PIP
- hyperextension of DIP
swan neck deformity
- assoc with RA
- hyperextension of PIP
- flexion of DIP
other organs impacted by RA
- lungs
- eyes
- skin
- heart
- NS
- blood
heart complications of RA
- often see pericardial effusions
- MI
- stroke
- atherosclerosis
- pericarditis
- endocarditis
- LVHF
- vasculitis
what causes NS issues with RA
- c spine instability (usually at C1-2)
- causes peripheral nerve entrapment and vasculitis -> mononeuritis multiplex
blood sx associated with RA
- hypochromatic microcytic anemia
- also have low serum ferratin or normal Fe binding capacity
- seen in almost all RA pts
common PE findings in RA
- warm, erythematous joints
- commonly involves hands and wrists
- DIP excluded
- ulnar deviation of digits
- nodules
- baker cysts
- general decreased ROM
serology for RA
- ANA- not diagnostic and doesnt follow disease activity
- RF- often seroneg in first year of disease
- anti-CCP- highly specific, associated with shared epitope
diagnostic criteria for RA
- joint involvement (5 pt max)
- serology (3 pt max)
- duration (1 pt max)
- acute phase reactants (1 pt max)
- need 6 points for definitive RA dx
other considerations for RA dx
- family hx
- joint tap for synovial fluid
- x ray
- MRI or bone scan
clinical course of RA
- damage occurs early in most pts
- 50% show joint space narrowing in first 2 years
- 50% disabled after 10 years
- early death
what is the DOC for RA?
- methotrexate
- works by inhibiting DNA synthesis through inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase
- requires monitoring of blood, liver, lungs, kidneys
treatment of RA
- NSAIDS
- steroids
- mtx/ DMARDS
- tumor necrosis inhibitors
- if newly dx use steroids until mtx takes effect
- steroids for flares
- intra-articular triamcinolone
- hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine often in combo with mtx
felty’s syndrome
- RA + neutropenia + splenomegaly
polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
- idiopathic inflammatory disorder
- proximal muscle pain
- abrupt onset, self limited
- sx worse in AM
- “trouble getting dressed”
- highly associated with temporal arteritis
- dx of exclusion, get ESR
treatment of PMR
- PO steroids
- app pts should be biopsied for temporal arteritis or consult optho
- no imaging
reactive arthritis
- autoimmune reaction after infections (GI or GU)
- associated with HLA- B27 halotype
- triad of urethritis, arthritis, conjunctivitis
common infections associated with reactive arthritis
- chlamydia
- campylobacter
- salmonella
- shigella
- yersinia
diagnosis of reactive arthritis
- based on hx/ PE
- cultures to det infection
- CBC, CRP, UA, urine culture
- echo
- HIV pts higher risk
treatment of reactive arthritis
- based on sx
- treat infection
- NSAIDs
- steroids
- DMARDS if NSAIDs and steroids are ineffective
- 2/3 recover spontaneously
anterior uveitis
- occurs in pts with reactive arthritis
- one of leading causes of preventable vision loss
- progresses over a few hours
si/sx of anterior uveitis
- red eye
- pain worse with reading
- blurred vision
- photophobia
- excessive tear production
- abnormally shaped pupil
juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- kids < 16 y/o
- chronic inflammation of connective tissue
- pain and swelling
- can impact one or many joints
- duration > 6 weeks
si/sx of JIA
- often have fever and rash that is similar to SLE
- joint inflammation
- contractures
- joint damage
- leads to decreased mobility, strength, endurace
- episodic- go from sx free to extreme pain quickly
subtypes of JIA
- systemic onset arthritis
- polyarticular arthritis
- oligoarticular arthritis
- enthesis
systemic onset arthritis
- subtype of JIA
- arthritis and fever > 103
- fluctuating rash
- inflammation of internal organs and joints
- anemia and leukocytosis
polyarticular arthritis
- subset of JIA
- arthritis in 5 or more joints
- constant pain
oligoarticular arthritis
- subset of JIA
- arthritis in 4 or fewer joints
- if dx before 7 have best chance of disease subsiding
- high risk uveitis
enthesis related arthritis
- subtyle of JIA
- involves ligaments as well as spine
- aka sondyloarthritis
treatment for JIA
- refer to rheum
- sx control
- intra-articular steroid injection if only a few joints involved
- PO prednisone
- DMARDS +/- biologics