Rheumatology Flashcards
Which HLA is associated with Behcets Syndrome?
HLA B51
Which age group is temporal arteritis most common in?
Only >50s
How does temporal arteritis present?
Headache
Temporal artery (palpable) + scalp tenderness
Jaw claudication (pain after 10-15th bite)
Amaurosis fugax/sudden blindness
Around 50% have symptoms of PMR also
Investigations for temporal arteritis?
Bloods - raised ESR/CRP
Temporal artery biopsy - may be normal d/t skip lesions
Temporal artery US - halo sign, as sensitive as biopsy but often not available
Management of temporal arteritis?
Steroids @ 40mg
If visual symptoms, @ 60mg or IV methylprednisolone
Treatment often continues for 1-2 years
Urgent ophthalmology review
There should be a dramatic response, if not consider other Dx
What is the biggest cause of morbidity in temporal arteritis?
Long-term steroid treatment so consider bisphosphonates/PPI
Demographic for PMR?
Age >50yrs, often women
Symptoms of PMR?
Subacute onset (<2 weeks) of bilateral aching -> Worse in morning, improves with activity
Tenderness and morning stiffness in shoulders and proximal limb muscles (NO weakness) +/- mild polyarthritis
Tenosynovitis
Low grade fever + fatigue + WL
Carpel tunnel syndrome (10%)
Temporal arteritis symptoms
Investigations for PMR?
Raised CRP +/- ESR
ALP raised in 30%
CK is normal
Management of PMR?
Prednisolone 15mg
Dramatic response
Continue for >2yrs + bisphosphonates/PPI
What is the pathophysiology of dermato/polymyositis?
capillary obliteration causes ischaemia and muscle infarction
Symptoms of dermato/polymyositis?
Progressive, symmetrical, proximal muscle weakness
Their bulk is greater than expected from weakness – important sign
Skin features (only in Dermatomyositis)
Photosensitive
Macular rash over back and shoulders – shawl distribution
Heliotrope rash – periorbital
Gottron’s sign – roughened red papules over extensor surfaces of fingers
Other - Raynaud’s, ILD, resp muscle weakness
Investigations for dermato/polymyositis?
Autoantibodies - o Anti-Jo1 (poly), anti-Mi-2 (derm), ANA (most sensitive, not specific)
Raised serum muscle enzymes - CK, aldolase
Muscle biopsy – shows muscle necrosis, phagocytosis of muscle fibres + inflam infiltrates
Screen for malignancy
Management of dermato/polymyositis?
Systemic steroids - prednisolone
Immunosuppressive drugs – methotrexate
<10% of cases are fatal
What is Langerhans cell histiocytosis?
Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare condition associated with the abnormal proliferation of histiocytes (phagocytic cell). It typically presents in childhood with bony lesions
Features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis?
bone pain, typically in the skull or proximal femur, cutaneous nodules, recurrent otitis media/mastoiditis
Diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis?
Electronmicroscopy - tennis racket-shaped Birbeck granules
Is RA more common in M or F?
Females >2:1
Which HLA is RA associated with?
HLA DR4 (main), also HLA DR1
What are the RFs for RA?
smoking + genetics (combination is v significant)
Joint presentation of RA?
Symmetrical, swollen, painful and stiff small joints of the hands, wrist and feet
• Worse in the morning
• Larger joints may become involved
• Does not affect DIP joints or spinal involvement
Fatigue, more likely to get carpel tunnel
Signs of deformity in RA?
Boutonniere deformity
Ulnar deviation of MCP joints
Swan-neck deformity of fingers
Z deformity of the thumb
Extra-articular presentation of RA?
Splenomegaly (+low WCC and RA = Felty’s syndrome)
Nodules - elbow, lung, heart valve, achilles tendon
Eye - episcleritis/scleritis
Lung - fibrosis, pleuritis, pleural effusion
What is RA a significant RF for?
CVS disease - many of RA patients are on NSAIDs (increased risk), more likely to be inactive (increased risk)