Rheumatology Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis
Wear and tear of the joint
Not an inflammatory condition
Occurs in synovial joints
Due to: genetic factors, overuse, injury
What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis
Obesity
Age
Occupation
Trauma
Female
Family history
What X-ray changes would be seen in osteoarthritis
Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Subarticular sclerosis (increased density along joint line)
Subchondral cysts
Do not always correlate with symptoms
How might osteoarthritis present
Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Worsens with activity
Leads to: deformity, instability, reduced function
Which joints are commonly affected by osteoarthritis
Hip
Knee
Sacro-iliac
Distal-interphalangeal
Metacarpal-phalangeal (base of thumb)
Wrist
Cervical spine
What are the signs of osteoarthritis in the hands
Herbeden’s nodes (in DIP joints)
Bouchard’s nodes (in PIP joints)
Squaring at base of thumb
Weak grip
Reduced range of motion
What are the NICE guidelines for osteoarthritis diagnosis
Can be diagnosed without investigations in > 45s with:
- Activity related pain
- No morning stiffness
- Stiffness lasting < 30 mins
What is the management for osteoarthritis
Patient education
Lifestyle modification
Physiotherapy
Analgesia
Intra-articular steroid injections (temporarily reduce inflammation)
Joint replacement
What is rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic inflammation of synovial lining of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursa
Inflammatory arthritis
‘Boggy’ joint swelling
Symmetrical
Affects multiple joints
F>M
Associated with HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR1
Which autoantibodies are associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid factor (70% patients, target Fc portion of IgG)
Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (more sensitive than RF)
How might rheumatoid arthritis present
Symmetrical distal polyarthropathy
Can be rapid, or gradual onset
Systemic symptoms (fatigue, weight loss, flu like illness, muscle aches and weakness)
Most have > 6 weeks for diagnosis
Morning stiffness lasting > 30 mins
What is palindromic rheumatism
Self limiting, short episodes of inflammatory arthritis
Episodes last 1-2 days
Which joints are commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis
Proximal interphalangeal
Metacarpophalangeal
Wrist
Ankle
Metatarsophalangeal
Cervical spine
Knee
Hip
Shoulder
What are signs of rheumatoid arthritis in the hands
Z-shaped deformity of thumb
Swan neck deformity (hyperextended PIPs, flexion of DIPs)
Boutonniere’s deformity (hyperextended DIPs, flexed PIPs)
Ulnar deviation of fingers
What are the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Bronchiolitis obliterans
Felty’s syndrome
Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome
Anaemia of chronic disease
Cardiovascular disease
Episcleritis/scleritis
Rheumatoid nodules
Lymphadenopathy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Amyloidosis
What investigations are needed for rheumatoid arthritis
Clinical diagnosis if symptomatic
Rheumatoid factor
Anti-CCP
Inflammatory markers
Routine bloods
X-ray hands and feet
Ultrasound (confirm synovitis)
What X-ray changes are seen in rheumatoid arthritis
Joint destruction and deformity
Soft tissue swelling
Periarticular osteopenia
Bony erosions
What are the NICE guidelines for referral for rheumatoid arthritis
Any adult who has persistent synovitis (even if autoantibodies negative)
Urgent if: involves small joints of hands or feet, involves multiple joints, symptoms for > 3 months
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed
Scored based on: joint involvement (number), serology, inflammatory markers, duration
Score > 6 means rheumatoid arthritis
What is the DAS28 score
Disease activity score for rheumatoid arthritis
Based on 28 joints
Points given for: swelling, tenderness, ESR/CRP
What factors lead to a poor prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis
Young onset
Male
More joints affected
Autoantibodies present
Erosion seen on X-ray
What is the management for rheumatoid arthritis
First presentation and flare ups: NSAIDs (+PPI), aim to induce remission
NICE first line: methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine
NICE second line: 2 drugs in combination
NICE third line: methotrexate plus a biological agent
NICE fourth line: rituximab
Physiotherapy
Surgery
What is psoriatic arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis
Varies in severity
What are the different patterns of psoriatic arthritis
Symmetrical polyarthritis: similar to RA, F>M, MCPs not affected
Asymmetrical pauciarthritis: affects digits and feet
Spondylitic: M>F, back stiffness, sacroiliitis, atlanto-axial involvement