Rheumatic disease 2 Flashcards
what does SpA stand for
spondyloarthropathies
what does SpA consist of
consists of a group of related disorders
- example of articular inflammatory disease
when does SpA occur and describe its prevalence
occurs more age at diagnosis in 3rd decade and peak commonly among young men
- mean incidence between 25-34 years
- prevalence is about 1%
- 4:1 male to female ratio
what are the causes of SpA
- cause is unclear but there is strong evidence that the initial event involved interaction between genetic and environmental factors, particularly bacterial infections
- Reiters syndrome may follow a wide range of GI infections
- bowel inflammation has been implicated in pathogenesis of endemic Reiters syndrome, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
give examples of the groups of disorders within SpA
- Reiters syndrome
- ankylosing spondylitis
- crohns disease
what are the characteristics of SpA
- the SpA share certain common features, including:
-the absence of serum rheumatoid factor
- an oligoarthritis commonly involving large joints in the lower extremities
- frequent involvement of the axial skeleton
- familial clustering
- linkage to HLA-B27 - These disorders are characterised by inflammation at sites of attachment of ligament, tendon, fascia, or joint capsule to bone
what is sacroilitis
- type of SpA
- inflammation of the sacroiliac joint
what might an x ray show for sacroilitis
x ray may show inflamed and narrowed SI joint that are white due to bony sclerosis around joints
what is ankylosing spondylitis
- chronic SpA disease that primarily affects the spine and may lead to stiffness of the back
- the joints and ligaments that normally permit the back to move become inflamed
- the joints and bones may grow and fuse together - inflammation and stiffness usually starts where the lower spine is joined to the pelvis or hip
how is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed
- medical history including symptoms
- x rays
- blood tests for HLA-B27 gene
outline the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis
- with early diagnosis and treatment, pain and stiffness can be controlled and may reduce fusing
- in women, AS is usually mild and hard to diagnose - exercise
- medications: NSAIDS, sulfasalazine
- posture management
- self help aids
- surgery
what is Reiters syndrome
- arthritis that produces pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joints
- can affect the spine and commonly involves the joints of the spine and sacroiliac joints
- can also affect arms and legs
what are the main characteristic features of Reiters syndrome
- inflammation of the joints
- urinary tract
- eyes
- ulceration of skin and mouth
what are the symptoms of Reiters syndrome
- fever
- weight loss
- skin rash
- inflammation
- sores and pain
describe the onset of Reiters syndrome
- often begins following inflammation of the intestine or urinary tract
- many patients have periodic attacks which last from 3-6 months
- some have repeated attacks, which are usually followed by symptom free periods