Rheumatology Flashcards
How does ankylosing spondylitis present?
it present in late teens, symptoms develop over 3 months. There is lower back and sacroiliac pain, stiffness, worse and night and in the morning and wakes the pt up from sleep. It improves with movement and there are flares and potential vertebral fractures
What are the signs of ankylosing spondylitis?
weight loss, fatigue, chest pain, plantar fasciitis, enthesitis, achilles tendonitis, dactylitis, anaemia, anterior uveitis, heart block, aortitis, restrictive lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis and IBD
how is ankylosing spondylitis investigated?
Schoeber’s test
inflammatory markers
HLA B27
XR spine
MRI
what are the findings on XR and MRI for AS?
XR - squaring of vertebral bodies, subchondral sclerosis and erosions, syndesmophytes, ossification, fusion of facet
MRI - bone marrow oedema
how is AS managed?
NSAIDs, steroids, anti TNF, monoclonal ABs, physio, exercise, avoid smoking, bisphosphonates, complication treatment, surgery for deformities
what are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
female, FHx, trauma, age, obesity, occupation
what is the pathophysiology for OA?
imbalance between cartilage wear and repair from chondrocytes
how is OA diagnosed?
> 45 with pain related to activity, no or little morning stiffness and XR (loss of joint space, osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cysts)
how does OA present?
joint pain and stiffness that is worse with activity - deformity, instability, decreased function, Herberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes, weak grip, reduced ROM, squarring of base of thumb
how is OA managed?
patient education, weight loss, physio, occupational therapy, orthotics, analgesia, PPI, opiates, IA steroids, joint replacement
what is psoriatic arthritis?
it is an inflammatory arthritis that is associated with psoriasis, and is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy
how does psoriatic arthritis present?
psoriatic plaques, sacroiliitis, back stiffness, nail pitting and oncholysis, dactylitis, enthesitis, eye disease, aortitis, amyloidosis
how is psoriatic arthritis investigated?
PEST tool to screen, XR - periostitis, ankylosis, osteolysis, dactylitis, pencil in cup appearance
what is a complication of psoriatic arthritis?
arthritis mutilans - severe - progressive digit shortening and telescopic fingers
how is psoriatic arthritis managed?
NSAIDs, DMARDs, antiTNF, usekinumab
what is reactive arthritis?
synovitis due to infection - warm, swollen, painful joint
bilateral conjunctivits, anterior uveitis, circinate balanitis
how is reactive arthritis investigated?
r/o septic
genetic - HLAB27
how is reactive arthritis managed?
aspirate, gram stain, culture and sensitivities, crystal exam, NSAIDS, steroids, DMARDs, antiTNF
how does rheumatoid arthritis present?
symmetrical distal polyarthropathy, pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, weight loss, flu like, weakness, Z shaped thumb, swan neck and Boutonierres, ulnar deviation, PF, Felty’s, secondary sjorgen’s, bronchiolitis obliterans, anaemia, CV disease, Rheumatoid nodules, CTS, amyloidosis, lymphadenopathy
how is rheumatoid arthritis investigated?
clinical, RF, antiCCP, CRP, ESR, XR (joint destruction and deformity, soft tissue swelling, periarticular osteopenia, boney erosions)
how is rheumatoid arthritis managed?
steroids, NSAIDs, COX-2i, PPIs, methotrexate, biologics, surgery
what is SLE?
it is an inflammatory autoimmune connective tissue disease due to chronic inflammation - relapsing and remitting
how does SLE present?
fatigue, weight loss, arthralgia, myalgia, fever, photosensitive malar rash, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, SOB, pleuritic chest pain, mouth ulcers, hair loss, Raynaud’s
how is SLE investigated?
autoantibodies, FBC, C3 and 4, CRP, ESR, Igs, urinalysis and urine protein creatinine ratio, renal biopsy
what are some complications of SLE?
CV disease, infection, anaemia, decreased WCC and platelets, lupus nephritis, neuropsychatric, recurrent miscarriage, preterm birth etc
how is SLE managed?
NSAIDs and steroids, hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressants, biologics
what is systemic sclerosis?
it is an autoimmune inflammatory and fibrotic connective tissue disease with limited or diffuse pattern
how does systemic sclerosis present?
hard, shiny, tight skin, decreased ROM, ulceration, telangiectasia, calcinosis, Raynauds, swallowing difficulty, acid reflux, oesophagitis, SOB, renal failure, dry cough, HTN
how is systemic sclerosis investigated?
nailfold capillaroscopy, autoantibodies (ANA, anticentromere, antiSCl70)
how is systemic sclerosis managed?
avoid smoking, cold, occupation and physiotherapy, gently skin stretching and emollients
immunosuppressants and steroids, PPIs, promotilities, analgesia, ABx, anti HTN, supportive