Rheumatology Flashcards
Which seronegative spondylarthrioathies is most likely to cause enthesitis (inflammation of the joint capsules, tendons and ligaments join into the bone)?
Ankylosing spondylitis
What is the classical triad of primary Sjorgen syndrome?
Dry mucosa
Fatigue
Joint pain
(Active arthritis may be seen but arthralgia is more common)
Arthralgia VS arthritis?
In the strictest sense, arthralgia simply refers to joint pain. Arthritis is inflammation in the joints, which also causes symptoms such as pain and stiffness.
How is temporal arteritis diagnosed?
Biopsy, showing features of inflammation of which are typical of giant cell arteritis.
Normal biopsy does not r/o - skip lesions, suboptimal sample
What are the clinical features of polymyositis?
Proximal muscle weakness and pain
No skin involement
As disease progresses, and other muscles become involved:
Pharangeal or oesophageal muscles leading to dysphonia and dysphagia
Respiratory muscles can lead to poor ventilation with type 2 respiratory failure
What will be seen on biopsy of muscle affected by polymyositis (gold standard diagnostic investigation)?
Endomysial inflammatory infiltrates
Muscle necrosis and atrophy
What score is used to measure disease activity in RA?
DAS-28
Doctor looks at 28 joints to decide if they are tender or swollen
A patient global health assessment from 0 to 100
ESR and CRP can be added into the formula
Low score indicated remission, higher score suggests patient has more active disease
Bechet’s disease symptoms/features?
CT changes of an acute venous sinus thrombosis, on a background of recalcitrant oral ucleration
Recurrent ocular events (relapising anterior uveitis)
Genital ulceration may provide further support for the diagnosis
Features of anti-phospholipid syndrome?
Commonly occurs secondary to SLE
Causes arterial and vebous thromboembolism, thrombocytopenia and livedo reticularis (a mottled, lace-like appearence on the legs)
One or more of the follow positive blood tests on more than two ocassions, more than two weeks apart required to diagnose APS:
- Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
- Anti-beta 2-GPI antibodies
- Positive lupus anticoagulant assay
How does methotrexate work?
Folate antagonist, binds to dihydrofolate reductase impairing the synthesis of DNA and therefore cell replication (therefore common side effect is folic acid deficiency and subsequently a macrocytic anaemia)
How does cerebral lupus present?
Unremitting headache
Psychosis
Features of active lupus (prominent rash, raised ESR, low complement levels)
What is CREST syndrome?
Limited cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis
Calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries causing red marks on the skin)
Pulmonary hypertension presenting as right sided heart failure is a well known complication of systemic sclerosis associated with CREST syndrome subtype of systemic sclerosis
What lung complication does diffuse cutaneous SSc tend to cause?
Pulmonary fibrosis
as opposed to pulmonary HTN in limited SSc
How should you monitor for pulmonary HTN in systemic sclerosis?
Echocardiogram or diffusing capactiy on spirometery
Can be confirmed with right heart catherisation
What conditions is anterior uveitis associated with?
Associated with HLA-B7
Autoimmune disease: IBD, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, Betchet’s disease
What is uveitis?
Inflammation of the anterior portion of the uvea, which includes the iris and ciliary body.
Patients present with a red and painful eye +/- photophobia, blurred vision, lacrimation and a hypopyon (inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber)
How do patients with reactive arthritis tend to present?
Dysuria
Iritis/conjunctivitis
Arthralgia
Pathophysiology of RA?
Citrullination of self antigens which are then recognised by T and B cells which then produce antibodies (rheumatoid factor (Fc portion of IgG), anti-CCP).
Stimulated macrophages and fibroblasts release TNFalpha.
Inflammatory cascade leads to proliferation of synoviocytes (boggy swelling)
These grow over the cartilage and lead to restriction of nutrients and cartillage is damaged.
Activated macrophages stimulate osteoclast differentiation contributing to bone damage.
Typical history for RA?
Female (3:1) 30-50 years Presents with progressive, peripheral and symmetrical polyarthritis. Affects MCPs/PIPs/MTPs Spares DIPs History of > 6 weeks Morning stiffness >30 mins duration Commonly c/o fatigue/malaise
What may be seen on examination of a patient with RA?
Soft tissue swelling and tenderness
Ulnar deviation/ Palmar sublucation of MCPs
Swan neck and Boutonniere deformity to digits
Rheumatoid nodules
Check median nerve for carpal tunnel association
Investigations for RA?
Rheumatoid factor Anti-CCP antibodies FBC (normocytic anaemia of chronic disease) WCC if concerned about septic arthritis ESR/CRP - elevated X-ray changes (established disease) USS/MRI (early disease) PFTs HRCT if chest and lung involvement (e.g. pulmonary fibrosis)
How does (progressed) RA appear on an X ray?
Loss of joint space
Erosions (periarticular)
Soft tissue swelling
Subluxation
Treatment of RA?
Initially DMARD monotherapy (methotrexate)
Combination DMARDs (leflunomide, hydroychloroquine, sulfasalazine)
Steroids (actutely) - PO/IM or intra articular
Symptom control with NSAIDs + PPI cover
If still severe after combination DMARDs, biologics (anti-TNFs such as entanercept)
OT/PT podiatry psychological
Extra-articular manifestations of RA?
3Cs - Carpal tunnel syndrome, elevated Cardiac risk (CVD), Cord compression (atlanto-axial subluxation)
3As- Anaemia (normochromic & normocytic), Amyloidosis (rare, can cause nephrotic syndrome and CKD), Arteritis (rare)
3Ps - Pericarditis (uncommon), Pleural disease (common), Pulmonary disease (common) e.g. bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans fibrosis
3Ss - Sjogren’s (common), Scleritis/episcleritis (uncommon), Splenic enlargement (together with neutropaenia = Felty’s syndrome, rare)
What is Giant cell arteritis and who is affected?
Chronic vasculitis of the large and medium sized vessels
Occurs among individuals over 50 years of age
Median age of onset is 72
Most commonly causes inflammation of arteries originating from the arch of the aorta
Occlusive arteries can result in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Visual symptoms are an opthalmic emergency
Inflammation of arteries supplying the muscles of mastication results in jaw claudication and tongue discomfort
GCA may present as CVA
Risk factors for GCA?
Increasing age 2-4 more times common in women Caucasion Strong association with PMR Genetic predisposition - HLA-DRA
How does GCA present?
Headache: localised, unilateral, boring, lancinating in quality over the temple
Tounge or jaw claudication upon mastication
Constitutional symptoms
Visual symptoms (may develop weeks to months following the other symptoms): amaurosis fugax, blindness, diplopia and blurring
Scalp tenderness, especially over the temporal artery
How is GCA diagnosed?
Presence of 2 or more in patients over 50 years:
Raised ESR, CRP, or PV
New onset of localized headache
Tenderness or decreased pulsation of temporal artery
New visual symptoms
Biopsy revealing necrotizing arteritis
How is GCA treated
60-100mg prednisolone PO per day for at least 2 weeks, then consider tapering down
Methylprednisolone IV pulse therapy (1g) for 1-3 days IF ACUTE ONSET SYMPTOMS
Low dose asprin therapy to reduce thrombotic risks
Most common complication of GCA?
Permanent visual loss
20-50% of patients go blind if untreated
What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Clinical syndrome characterized by pain and stiffness of the shoulder, hip girdles, and neck. Patients may use the term stiffness and pain interchangeably,
Primary impacts the elderly
Associated with morning stiffness
Elevated inflammatory markers
How is affected by PMR?
70-80 years
Very rare under 50
Association with GCA
Symptoms of PMR?
New sudden onset proximal limb pain and stiffness (neck, shoulders, hip)
Night time pain
Systemic symptoms (25%) fatigue, weight loss, low-grade fever
Difficulty rising from chair, combining hair (proximal muscle involvement)
How might the physical examination of a patient with PMR be?
Decreased ROM of shoulders, neck and hips
Muscle strength is usually normal - may be limited by pain/stiffness
Muscle tenderness
How is PMR diagnosed?
Examination
ESR or PV, CRP - will almost always be raised, although not proportional to severity of the symptoms
Consider temporal artery biopsy if symptoms of GCA
Dramatic response within 5 days of starting prednisolone
What other conditions may present with PMR symtpoms?
Cancer
RA
Treatment of PMR?
15mg of prednisolone daily, taper down slowly. Most patients require 18 months of treatment.
In relapsing patients methotrexate can be steroid-sparing
What is the presence of HLA-B27 associated with?
Spondyloarthropathies
What are the spondyloarthropathies?
Ankylosing spondylitis (most common)
Enteropathic arthritis
Psoratic arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Common clinical features of the spondyloarthropathies?
Sacroiliac/axial disease - back/buttock pain
Inflammatory arthopathy of peripheral joints
Enthesitis (inflammation at tendon insertions)
Extra-articular features (skin/gut/eye)
Ankylosing spondylitis clincal features
Usually presents in young men (teens to mid therties)
Presentation with bilateral buttock pain, chest wall and thoracic pain
Examination is often normal, loss of lumbor lordosis in later disease
Exaggerated thoracic kyphosis in later disease
Positive Schober’s test in later disease
Reduced chest expanison in later disease
Raised or normal CRP
How would you investigate Ankylosing Spndylitis?
CRP (may be normal)
MRI spine and SI joints
HLA-B27
How is ankylosing spondylitis managed?
NSAIDs
Physio
TNF inhibitors (e.g. infliximab)
IL-17 inhibitors (brodalumab,
Clinical features of psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriasis
Oligo-arthritis with dactylitis (sausage digit)
Symetrical or mono-arthritis
Severe disease: arthritis mutilans
Central erosions seen on USS or MRI, leading to pencil in cup x-ray appearence
How is psoriatic arthritis managed?
NSAIDs DMARDs TNF inhibitors IL-17 inhibitors IL 12/23 inhibitors
When does reactive arthritis occur?
Distant infection
Post dysentery (Salmonella/Shigella/Campylobacter)
Urethritis/cervicitis (Chlaymidya trachomatis)
How long after infection dose reactive arthritis occur?
Days-2 weeks post infection
What is reactive arthritis?
Sterile synovitis developing after a distant infection
Acute asymmetrical lower limb arthritis
Extra-articular features of reactive arthritis?
Skin: circinate balanitis, keratoderma blennorrhagica
Eye: conjunctivitis, uveitis
MSK: enthesitis
Urogential: urethritis
What investigations should be undertaken in suspected reactive arthritis?
Serology/microbiology
Raised inflammatory markers
Join asp to rule out septic arthritis/gout
HLA-B27
How should reactive arthritis be treated?
Treat underlying infection (this may not improve arthritis)
NSAIDs, joint injections
If not resolved in 2 years (most will) may need DMARDs
What is type 1 peripheral enteropathic arthritis?
Oligoarticular, asymmetric and has a correlation with IBD flares
What is type 2 peripheral enteropathic arthritis?
Polyarticular symettrical and has less correlation with IBD flares
10-20% of patients with IBD develop arthropathy. Which is more common, peripheral arthritis or axial disease?
Peripheral arthritis
What treatment should be considered in enteropathic arthritis?
Consider DMARDs (NSAIDs may flare IBD) TNF inhibitors will treat IBD and arthritis
Extra-articular manifestations of Ankylosing spondylitis?
Anterior uveitis Aortic incompetence AV block Apical lung fibrosis Amyloidosis
Features of inflammatory back pain?
Insidious onset Pain at night (improves on getting up) Age at onset <40 Improvement with exercise No improvement with rest
What is lupus?
Autoimmune disease
Inadequate T cell supressor activity with increased B cell activity
Most patients have antibodies to certain cell nucleus components
Complex multisystem disease with variable presentations
Characterized by remissions and flares
Can be famillial
Common signs and symptoms of SLE?
Serositis (pleurisy, pericarditis)
Oral ulcers, usually painless, palate is most specific
Arthritis - small joints, non errosive
Photosensitivity
Blood disorders: low WCC, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anemia
Renal invovlement - glomerularnephritis
Autoantibodies (90% of cases ANA +)
Immunologic tests e.g. low complements
Neurologic disorders - seizures, psychosis
What blood test abnormalities may be present in patients with SLE?
Most patients will have a raised ESR or plasma viscosity
Anaemia and leukopenia
ANA positive (90%)
Anti-Ro, Anti-La are common
Anti-dsDNA (rises with disease activity)
Maybe be antiphospholipid antibodies (these increase the risk of pregnancy loss and thrombosis)
C3 and C4 fall with disease activity
What can be used to monitor SLE?
Anti-dsDNA - titre rises with disease activity
C3 and C4 - both fall with disease activity
Urinalysis for detecting renal disease
Renal biopsy- diagnosis and prognosis
Skin biopsy - can be diagnostic
How is SLE treated?
Sun protection
Lifestyle risk reduction of CVD
Hydroxychloroquine is helpful for rash and arthralgia
Mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and rituximab are commonly used
Short courses of prednisolone for flares
When is the peak onset of SLE?
Early adulthood
Why is lupus 9x more common in women?
Estrogens are thought to be permissive for autoimmunity.
Estradiol may prolong the life of autoreactive B and T lymphocytes
How does UV light rigger SLE?
Alters the structure of DNA in the dermis which renders it more immunogenic
Examples of drugs which can trigger an SLE-like syndrome include?
Isoniazid
Minocycline
TNF inhibitors
What will the CRP in a patient with SLE be?
Normal
What will FBC be in most patients with SLE?
Abnormal
OA vs RA in terms of morning stiffness?
OA - no morning stiffness
RA - morning stiffness
OA vs RA in terms of effect of activity?
OA - worse with activity
RA - improves with activity
Most common joints effected by OA?
Knee
Hip
Hand
What joint is most commonly affected by gout?
First metatarsophalangeal joint
How do patients with gout typically describe the pain?
Anything touching the affected joint will cause discomfort
Inflammation develops within a few hours
Pain disturbs their sleep
What antibody is likely to be raised in drug induced lupus?
Anti-histone antibody
How does polymyositis initially present?
Bilateral, proximal (hip and shoulder girdle) muscle weakness, developing over weeks to months.
Muscle pain and tenderness sometimes present
Muscle bulk and reflexes are preserved (until very late)
What happens in progressive disease in polymyositis?
Pharyngeal or oesophogeal muscle involvement, leading to dysphonia and dysphagia
Respiratory muscles involvement, leading to poor ventilation and type 2 respiratory failure
What will be seen on joint aspiration in gout?
Negatively birefringent needle-shaped crystals
What arthritis can be caused by tumour lysis syndrome (renal involvement)?
Gout
A patient taking methotrexate for RA should be advised how when she wishes to become pregnant?
Wash out of at least 6 months before conception
Low dose steroids in the event of a disease flare
Classic signs of OA?
Heberden’s nodes
Bouchard’s nodes
What are Heberden’s nodes?
Swelling of the distal interpharangeal joint
What are Bouchard’s nodes?
Swelling of the proximal interpharangeal joints
What hand deformities may be seen in RA?
Ulnar deviation
Swan neck deformity
Boutinnieres deformity
Z deformity of the thumb
What are the most commonly affected joints in RA?
PIP: proximal interpharangeal joints
MCP: metacarpopharangeal joints of the fingers
What might be the caused of bilateral, proximal muscle pain and stiffness without a rise in CK levels?
PMR
What are the most commonly affected joints in ankylosing spondylitis?
Sacroilliac, hence the most common presenting complaint is lower back pain
What should be ruled out in a patient with dermatomyositis?
Mallignancy - dermatomyositis can present as a paraneoplastic phenominum
What is Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and which rheumatological conditions is it associated with?
GCA/PMR with GCA
AION is infarction of the posterior cillary arteries which supply the optic nerve
Most common mechanism if visual loss in GCA
Classic findings: on fundus examination include a swollen, chalky white, optic disc
What findings indicate a diagnosis of Churg-Strauss sydnrome?
Esonophillia Poorly controlled asthma CXR findings indicative of granulomatous change Renal involvement Elevated ESR
What is Chaugg-Strass syndrome also known as?
Churg-Strauss vasculitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and allergic angiitis.
First line treatment for knee or hand OA?
TOPICAL NSAID
+ Paracetomol
Serious side effects of methotrexate?
Drug induced pulmonary fibrosis
Abortive/tetragenic
Liver chirrosis
Leucopenia
What is Schirmer’s test used to diagnose and how is it performed?
Sjorgen’s syndrome
Place filter paper on eye for 5 mins
Positive is less than 10 mm of moisture on the filter paper in 5 minutes
What rehumatological conditions is Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with?
Scleroderma
SLE
Dermatomyosis and polymoyositis
Sjorgen’s syndrome
Over what age should a patient developing symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon alert you to likely underlying disease?
30 years
What are the possible physical causes of raynauds phenomenon?
Use of heavy vibrating tools
Cervical rib
‘sticky’ blood - cryoglbuniaemia
What common drug class can induce Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Beta blockers
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Condition caused by vasospasm of hand digits.
Painful
May be precipitated by stress
Characterized by a typical sequence of colour changes in response to a COLD STIMULUS: white, blue, red
What is the colour sequence and what is occuring at each stage in Raynaud’s phenomenon?
White - inadequete blood flow
Blue - venous stasis
Red - re-warming hyperaemia
What is Raynaud’s syndrome?
Idiopathic Raynaud’s phenomenon
Usually improves with age
May be familial
Treatment comprises measures including keeping warm, avoiding smoking
Pharmacological management of Raynaud’s phenonomenon?
Calcium-channel blockers are first line
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and prostacyclins are usually effective
Complications of RP?
Digital ulcers
Severe digital ischemia
Infection
Gangrene
Pattern of symptoms in Raynaud’s syndrome vs RP secondary to underlying disease?
RS: Pattern symettrical and bilateral, lasts minuites
RP: Asymettrical pattern, only a few digits affected, may last hours
What test can be used in the diagnosis of RP?
Nail-fold capilaroscopy
What is vasculitis?
Inflammatory blood vessel disorder
Clinical features result from the damage of blood vessel walls with subsequent thrombosis, ischemia, bleeding and/or aneurysm formation.
Important aspects of vasculitis history?
Age, gender, ethnicity
Comprehnesive drug history
FHx
Constitutional symptoms: fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, diminished apperitie, sweats
Glove and sweater approach
RP
MSK: arthralgia, myalgia, proximal muscle weakness
CNS/PNS: headaches visual loss, tinnitus, stroke seizure encephalopathy
Heart/lung: percarditis, cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea
GI: abdominal pain
Renal haematuria
Limbs: Neuropathy. digital ulcers/ischemia
How should you examine a patient with suspected vasculitis?
Vital signs: BP ?HTN, Pulse ?irregular ?rate
Skin: palpable purpura, livedo reticularis, nodules, digital ulcers, gangrene, nail bed capillary changes
Neurologic: cranial nerve exam, sensorimotor exam
Ocular exam: visual fields, scleritis, uveitis episcleritis
Cardiopulmonary exam: Crackles, pleural rubs, murmurs, arrhythmias
Abdo exam: tenderness, organomegaly
What are the primary vasculitides (small-vessel)?
Microscopic polyangitis
Granulomatosis with polyangitis - GPA (wegner’s granulomatosis)
Eosinophillic granulomatosis with polyangitis EGPA (churg-strauss syndrome
Iga vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
What are the primary vasculitides (medium-vessel)?
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) Kawasaki disease (KD)
What are the primary vasculitides (large-vessel)?
Takayasu arteritis (TAK) Ginat cell arteritis (GCA)
Vasculitis is normally secondary, what may it be caused by if this is the case?
Infection
Drugs
Mallignancy
Connective tissue disease
Why is urinalysis important in vasculitis?
Renal involvement often silent
Urinalysis to identify any underlying GN
What initial tests should be ran in suspected vasculitis?
FBC, U&Es, LFTs, CRP, PV< ESR Specific serology: ANA, ANCA, RF Complement levels: C3, C4 Hep screen for B and C HIV screen Cryoglobins Serum and urine protein elctrophoresis CK, blood cultures, ECG, CXR, CT scan, MRI arteriography
What is a common cause of skin vasculitis caused by medications?
Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Artial Myxomas can present with a vasculitis like syndrome, what test can exclude it?
ECHO
How is vasculitis managed?
R/o / treat any infection
Stop any offending drugs
1st line corticosteroids
2nd line cytotoxic medications, immunomodulatory or biologic agents (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, IVIG
What are dermatomyositis and polymyositis?
Rare idiopathic muscle disease characterized by the inflammation of striated muscle.
M:F is smilar and peak age of onset is 40-50 years
How do dermatomyositis and polymyositis normally present?
INsideous onset of muscle proximal weakness
Ofetn painless
SOB/Rash
Often normal inflammatory markers, some raised
Normal FBC,
Kidney function not affected
Raised ALT from muscle but ALP and AST normal
80% antinuclear anitbody positive
Well demonstrated myositis on MRI
What is the diagnostic criteria for polymositis?
3 or more of Symetrical proximal muscle weakness Raised serum muscle enzyme levels Typical electromyographic changes Biopsy evidence of myositis
What is the diagnostic criteria for dermatomyositis?
Typical rash of dermatomyositis and 2 of
Symmetrical proximal muscle weakness
Raised serum muscle enzymes
Typical electromyographic changes
How are Dematomyositis and Polymyositis treated?
Mainstay of treatment for first few weeks are high dose corticosteroids.
Long term control with methotrexate or azathioprine.
Rituximab can be effective
IV immunoglobin also effective
Sun protection in DM is important HCQ may be required to reduce the rash
How are Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis monitored?
Monitoring and disease activity can be difficult but the inflammatory markers and CK are often used
EMG studies/MRI or biopsy may be needed
Complications of dermatomyositis and polymyositis?
Involvement of the striated muscle of the oesophogus - swallow difficulty and aspiration pneumonia
DIaphragmatic involvement - respiratory failure
Inflammatory lung disease
Increased risk of malignancy 2-3 years before and after diagnosis of dermatomyositis
DM: rash is photosensitive and often leads to post inflammatory hyper- or hypo- pigmentation in areas that are light exposed (scalp, face, neck)
Linear plaques on dorsal aspect of the hands (Gottron’s papules)
DIlated nail fold capillaries
Dry cracked palms and fingers
Periorbital oedema
Heliotrope rash to eye lids (violet rash)
What other rheumatological conditions can lead to myositis?
Scleroderma
SLE
What is systemic sclerosis?
Multisystem autoimmune disease
Also known as scleroderma
Increased fibroblast activity resulting in abnormal growth of conncective tissue which leads to vascular damage and fibrosis
What are the two main subtypes of SSc?
limited
diffuse
What is limited scleroderma normally preceded by?
Many years of Raynaud’s phenomenon