Rheumatology Flashcards
Normals ESR
Men < 50: 15 mm/hr.
Men > 50: 20 mm/hr
Women < 50: 20 mm/hr
Women > 50: 30 mm/hr
Normal CRP
0.8 mg/L
Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- RF positivity is associated with more aggressive disease and more extra-articular manifestations
- sensitivity is equal to anti-CCP for diagnosis of RA
Anti-CCP
- strong predictor of erosive disease
Anti-DNA topoisomerase I (Scl-70) antibodies
diffuse cutaneous
systemic sclerosis
DMARDs in pregnancy
cytotoxic and teratogenic
- prescribe corticoseteroids
MS prevalence in Aus
1:1000
CREST syndrome
(Calcinosis cutis,
Raynaud phenomenon, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia)
diagnosis of CREST syndrome
anti-centromere antibodies
elderly px + elevated ESR + CRP pain and stiffness in hips and shoulders in the morning
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica underlying pathology
giant cell arteritis
headaches over 50 + Fever + Anemia + High ESR
Giant cell arteritis
face rash + URTI + migrating athralgia
Parvovirus-associated arthritis
Parvovirus-associated arthritis investigation
diagnostic: detection of parvovirus B19 specific IgM antibodies
Giant cell arteritis investigation
1- Elevated ESR.
2- Normochromic or slightly hypochromic anemia.
3- Liver function abnormalities-increased alkaline phosphatase levels
diagnostic: Temporal artery biopsy
Giant cell arteritis management
- glucocorticoid prednisolone
rheumatoid nodulosis
Local glucocorticoid injections
RA medication with methotrexate and
other DMARDs can increase the frequency and number of rheumatoid nodules—a
condition known as accelerated nodulosis.
Treatment consists of intralesional steroid injection to decrease size
NSAIDs may improve the pain but does not reduce the size and number of nodules
Malar rash (butterfly rash),
- highly specific for
the diagnosis of SLE - flat, scaly, non-pruritic and
characteristically spares the nasolabial fold
SLE management
long term cornerstone: hydroxychloroquine
proximal muscle weakness and pain and a heliotrope (lilac color of the periorbital) rash about her eyes.
dermatomyositis
(This rash surrounds both eyes and may extend
onto the malar eminences, the eyelids, the bridge of the nose, and the forehead)
Back pain caused by an inflammatory condition
(rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing
spondylitis, Reiter syndrome)
focal and segmental glomerulonephritis + cytoplasm ANCA antibodies+ affecting upper airway
Wegener granulomatosis (WG)
vasculitis of small and medium
sized arteries and veins
C-ANCA
Wegener granulomatosis (WG
female + widespread pain> 3 months + Fatigue and sleep difficulties + Normal CRP, ESR
fibromyalgia