Rheumatology Flashcards
Differentiate arthritis based on mono- poly- acute and chronic

List the cardinal features of inflammatory arthritis
- Morning stiffness
- Worst with rest, better with activity
- Night pain (esp second half of the night)
- Swelling
Define acute vs chornic arthritis
<6 weeks vs over 6 weeks
Give a DDx for chronic inflammatory arthritis

What are the clinical features of RA
- Tender swollen symmetric small joints
- MCP
- PIP
- Wrists
- >6 weeks or arthritis
What are the serologies associated with RA. How sensitive and specific are each
- RF
- 25% are negative
- Anti CCP
- 95% specific
- Can precede arthritis
- marker of more erosive disease
- Elevated ESR, CRP
Are serologies or X-Rays necessary for a Dx of RA
- No need for serologies or XRay
What other conditions can raise RF?
- Other CTD
- HepC/ cryoglobulinemia
- Endocarditis
- Malignancy (B-Cell neoplasms most common)
- Age
- normal variation
List the extra-articular manifestation of RA
- Cardiac
- Pericarditis +/- effusion, myocarditis
- CAD, accelerated atherosclerosis
- Lung
- ILD (NSIP, UIP)
- Pleural effusion (R/O infection)
- Pulmonary nodules
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Hematological
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Felty syndrome:
- Seropositive RA + splenomegaly + Neutropenia
- Neurologic
- Carpal tunnel
- C1-C2 instability/subluxation = life threatening
- Other
- Rheumatological nodules
- Vasculitis
- Amyloidosis
- Scleritis
- Sicca syndrome (dry eyes, dry mouth)
- Raynauds
- Sweet syndrome
What are the conventional DMARDS that can be used in the treatment of RA
- MTx
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Sulfasalazine
- Leflunomide
What are the biological DMARDS that can be used in the treatment of RA
- TNF inhibitors
- Adalimumab
- Etanercept
- Infliximab
- Golimumab
- Certolizumab pegol
- Tocilizumab
- Abatacept
- Rituximab
What are the small molecules or targetted synthetic DMARDS that can be used in the treatment of RA
- Tofacitinib
- Baricitinib
- Upadacitinib
- Apremilast
What “bridge therapies” can be used for acute treatment in RA
- Steroids (smallest possible dose)
- NSAIDS
- analgesics
What is the long term disease modifying therapy for RA
-
Step 1: DMARD
- Low disease activity: Hydroxychloroquine
- Moderate to high disease activity: MTx
-
Step 2: Biologic or small molecule
- Use once failed MTx
- Start with TNF and continue MTx
What are the side effects of MTx
- Hepatotoxicity
- Nausea
- Pancytopenia
- Pulmonary toxicity
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- fibrosis
- Oral ulcers
- Alopecia
- Teratogenicity
What are side effects of hydroxychloroquine
- Retinal toxicity
- Rash
- Photosensitivity
- Myotoxicity (rare)
- cardiotoxicity (rare)
What are the side effects of leflunomide
- GI
- Nausea
- GI pain
- Dyspepsia
- diarrhea
- Hepatotoxicity
- HTN
- Myelosuppression
- Peripheral neuropathy
- teratogenicity
What are the side effects of Sulfasalazine
- GI toxicity
- headache
- rash
- CI in sulfa allergy
What should be considered when treating RA in patients with pulmonary disease?
- MTx can cause pneumonitis
- If parenchymal lung disease is mild, incidental, stable then MTx can be used if moderate to severe RA activity
What should be considered when treating RA in patients with heart failure?
- TNFi can lead to heart failure
- Don’t start TNFi if history of NYHA III or IV CHF
- If patients develop CHF on TNFi, switch to another agent
What should be considered when treating RA in patients with Lymphoproliferative disoorders?
- Rituximab first line in lymphoproliferative disorders where rituximab is indicated
What should be considered when treating RA in patients with NAFLD?
- MTX can be hepatotoxic
- Can still use MTX if liver enzymes, liver function normal and no advanced liver fibrosis in the case of moderate to severe RA
How is MTx induced nausea managed
- Increase folic acid to 5mg daily
- Trial of H2 blocker or PPI
- Add leucovorin post MTx dose
How is MTx induced stomatitis managed
- Increase folic acid to 5mg daily
- Add leucovorin
- If folic acid, leucovorin inefective or ulcers are severe reduce MTx dose










