RHEUMATOLOGY Flashcards
What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Female Age Overuse Trauma Family history
What is the pathophysiology of OA?
Imbalance between the cartilage being worn down and the chondrocytes repairing it.
Which joints are commonly affected in OA?
Knees
Hip
DIP
Sacroiliac
What are the findings on XR in OA?
L - loss of joint space
O - osteophyte formation
S - subchondral sclerosis
S - subchondral cysts
What signs can be seen in the hands in OA?
Heberden’s nodes (DIP)
Bouchard’s nodes (PIP)
Squaring of the base of the thumb (carpo-metacarpal joint)
How is OA diagnosed?
Can be diagnosed clinically without investigation if:
45 years old
No morning stiffness (<30 mins)
Activity related pain
What is first-line management for OA?
Weight loss
OT, physio and orthotics can also help.
Which joints are most commonly replaced in OA?
Knees
Hips
What are the risk factors for RA?
Female (3x more common)
Family hx
What is the pathophysiology of RA?
Autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation of the synovial lining of the joints, tendon sheaths and bursa.
Which joints are commonly affected in RA?
PIP and MCP Wrists Ankles Cervical spine Knees and shoulders
What age do patients present with RA?
Middle age (but can be any)
What are the genetic associations of RA?
HLA-D4 (RF positive patients)
HLA-D1 (less common)
What is the key antibody involved in RA?
Rheumatoid-factor
What does RF target?
Fc portion of IgG
Which antibody is most specific for RA?
Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies)
How does RA present?
Joint pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Systemic symptoms: flu-like, myalgia, weight loss, fatigue
What is palindromic rheumatism? How long does it last?
Flare of RA
48 hours
What is atlantoaxial subluxation?
Local synovitis that can lead to spinal cord compression in RA
Name 4 key changes in the hands in RA.
Swan-neck deformity OR Boutonniere’s deformity
Z-shaped deformity of the thumb
Ulnar deviation
Name some extra-articular manifestations of RA?
Pulmonary fibrosis Bronchiolitis obliterans Felty's syndrome Anaemia of chronic disease Episcleritis Amyloidosis
What is Caplan’s syndrome?
Pulmonary fibrosis in RA
What is Felty’s syndrome?
RA
Neutropenia
Splenomegaly
What are the findings on XR in RA?
Joint destruction and deformity
Soft tissue swelling
Periarticular osteopenia
Bony erosions
Which four factors are used to diagnose RA?
- Small/symmetrical joint distribution
- Serology
- Inflammatory markers
- Duration of symptoms
Score equal or greater than 6 = RA
What investigation might be needed for patients with RA requiring a GA?
Cervical MRI
Which blood tests are done in RA?
RF
Anti-CCP
ESR/CRP
FBC - anaemia
What is HAQ?
What is it used for?
Health Assessment Questionnaire - measures functional ability in RA
What is the DAS28 score?
Looks at severity of RA
What factors indicate worse prognosis in RA?
Male Early onset More joints affected Presence of RF/anti-CCP Erosions on XR
When should you refer to rheumatology? When should the referral be urgent?
Any adult with persistent synovitis.
Urgent = if involving the small joints of the hands/feet.
What does DMARDs stand for? Name 4 different types of DMARD.
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.
Methotrexate
Sulfasalazine
Leflunomide
Hydroxychloroquine
What are the treatment steps in medical management of RA?
- Methotrexate monotherapy
- Combined DMARD
- Methotrexate + biological therapy
- Methotrexate + rituximab
Name 4 different types of biological therapy used in RA.
Anti-TNF: Infliximab
Anti-CD20: rituximab
Anti-IL6
JAK inhibitors
What is the most important side effect of biological therapies?
Immunosuppression
Name a notable side effect of methotrexate?
Pulmonary fibrosis
Name a side effect of Rituximab.
Night sweats
Thrombocytopenia
Name a side effect of sulfasalazine.
Male infertility
Name a side effect of hydroxychloroquine.
Nightmares and reduced visual acuity.
Name a side effect of anti-TNF medications.
Reactivation of TB/hepatitis B
What are the red flags for lower back pain?
Age <20 or >50 History of previous malignancy Night pain History of trauma Systemically unwell
What is scleroderma?
autoimmune inflammatory and fibrotic connective tissue disease.
What are the two patterns of disease seen in scleroderma?
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
What is another name for limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
CREST syndrome
What are the features of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis?
Calcinosis Raynauds phenomenon Esophageal dysmotility Sclerodactyly Telangiectasia