Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
What are 5 hand signs for RA?
Ulnar deviation
Muscle wasting in dorsum - interossei
Rheumatoid nodules
Swollen MCP/PIP - spares DIPs
Thin skin - due to steroids
If the nodules are mostly on the DIP’s, what is the likely cause?
Osteoarthritis
What is the primary site of pathology for RA?
Synovium
What is the name for a inflamed and thickened synovium?
Pannus
Which genes are implicated in RA?
HLA-DR4
PTPN22
What is pallindromic rheumatism?
Develops and goes away at same rate
What are the RA articular features? (4 marks)
Synovitis - tender, swollen joints
Joint effusion
Restriction of Joint movement
Deformity
What is periarticular osteopenia and sclerosis representative of?
Periarticular osteopenia - RA
Periarticular Sclerosis - OA
What is RF?
it is IgM against IgG
How does Anti-CCP compare to RF in terms of sensitivity and specificity?
Anti-CCP more specific, but less sensitive
What imaging techniques are used in RA for erosion and synovitis?
Erosion - X-ray
Synovitis - US/MRI
What does Caplan’s syndrome involve?
RA + Pneumoconiosis
What is bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia?
Non-infectious pneumonia
Inflammation of bronchioles and surrounding tissue in the lungs
Radiological imaging suggests infective pneumonia, but does not respond to antibiotics and blood/sputum culture -ve for organisms
What is invovled in Felty’s syndrome?
RA + Splenomegaly + Leucopenia
Increased risk of bacterial infection
What is keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with RA?
Dry eyes
