Rheumatology Flashcards
Vitamin D supplementation groups?
- All pregnant and breastfeeding women
- All children 6m - 5 y/o (babies formula milk >500ml dont need)
- Adults > 65 y/o
- People not exposed to much sun
Indications for testing Vitamin D?
- Bone disease e.g. osteomalacia/Paget’s
- Bone disease prior to specific treatment
- MSK problems possibly attributed to Vitamin D deficiency
Methotrexate MOA?
Antimetabolite that inhibitrs dihydrofolate reductase
Methotrexate indications?
- Inflammatory arthritis esp. RhA
- Psoriasis
- Some chemo e.g. ALL
Methotrexate adverse effects?
- Mucositis, myelosuppression
- Pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis
- Liver fibrosis
Methotrexate and pregnancy?
- Avoid pregnancy for 6m after treatment stopped
- Men need effective contraception for 6m after treatment
Methotrexate monitoring?
FBC, U&E, LFT before treatment, weekly until therapy stabilised, and then every 2-3 months
What needs to be coprescribed with methotrexate?
Folic acid 5mg OW, taken more than 24 hours after methotrexate dose
Methotrexate starting dose?
7.5mg OW
Methotrexate interactions?
- Trimethoprim/co-trimoxazole (increases risk of marrow aplasia)
- High dose aspirin increases risk of methotrexate toxicity secondary to reduced excretion
Methotrexate toxicity Rx?
Folinic acid
Lateral epicondylitis mushkies?
- Tennis elbow
- Most common 45-55 y/o, typically affects dominant arm
Lateral epicondylitis features?
- Pain and tenderness localised to the lateral epicondyle
- Pain worse on wrist extension against resistance with the elbow extended or supination of the forearm with the elbow extended
- Episodes typically last b/w 6m and 2y, pts tend to have acute pain for 6-12 weeks
Lateral epicondylitis Rx?
- Advice on avoiding muscle overload
- Simple analgesia
- Steroid injection
- Physiotherapy
Radial tunnel syndrome?
- Presents similarly to lateral epicondylitis however pain is typically distal to the epicondyle and worse on elbow extension/forearm pronation
- Common in gymnasts, racquet players and golfers who frequently hyperextend at the wrist or carry out frequent supination/pronation
- Pts can also complain of hand paraesthesia or acheing at the wrist
Cubital tunnel syndrome?
Tingling and numbness in the 4th and 5th finger
Temporal arteritis definition?
Large vessel vasculitis which overlaps with PMR, histology shows skip lesions
Temporal arteritis features?
- > 60 y/o
- Rapid onset (<1m)
- Headache
- Jaw claudication
- Tender, palpable temporal artery
- Vision testing is key Ix in all pts
- 50% have features of PMR
- Also constitutional symptoms
Vision testing in temporal arteritis?
- Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy accounts for the majority of ocular complications. It results from occlusion of the posterior ciliary artery (a branch of the ophthalmic artery) → ischaemia of the optic nerve head. Fundoscopy typically shows a swollen pale disc and blurred margins
- May result in temporary visual loss - amaurosis fugax
- Permanent visual loss is the most feared complication of temporal arteritis and may develop suddenly
- Diplopia may also result from the involvement of any part of the oculomotor system (e.g. cranial nerves)
Temporal arteritis Ix?
- Raised inflammatory markers (ESR > 50mm/hr, note ESR < 30 in 10% pts, CRP may be elevated)
- Temporal artery biopsy = skip lesions may be present
- Note CK and EMG normal
Temporal arteritis Rx?
- Urgent high dose glucocorticoids (if no visual loss high dose prednisolone, if visual loss IV methylprednisolone given prior to starting high-dose prednisolone)
- Urgent ophthalmology review
- Other = bone protection with bisphosphonates long term due to tapering steroid course, low dose aspirin also sometimes given
Anterior interosseous syndrome?
Caused by damage to the anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median nerve. It usually presents with pain in the forearm and weakness of flexion of the index finger and the distal phalanx of the thumb
Ankylosing spondylitis definition?
HLA-B27 associated spondylarthropathy, typically presents in males (3:1) aged 20-30 years old
Ankylosing spondylitis Ix?
- Raised ESR and CRP, normal levels don’t exclude Dx
- HLA B27 +ve in 90% AS, 10% normal patients (not that useful)
- Plain XR of sacroilial joints is most useful Ix in establishing Dx
Ankylosing spondylitis on XR?
- Sacroiliitis = subchondral erosions, sclerosis
- Squaring of lumbar vertebra
- Bamboo spine (late and uncommon)
- Syndesmophytes = due to ossification of outer fibres of annulus fibrosus
- CXR = apical fibrosis
If XR is -ve for sacroiliac joint involvement but AS suspicion remains high?
MRI
Ankylosing spondylitis spirometry?
May show restrictive defect due to combination of pulmonary fibrosis, kyphosis and AS of costovertebral joints
Ankylosing spondylitis Rx?
- Regular exercise e.g. swimming
- NSAIDs first line
- Physiotherapy
- DMARDs e.g. sulfasalazine only useful if peripheral joint involvement
- Anti-TNF if persistently high disease activity despite conventional treatments
CKD causes which type of hyperparathyroidism?
Secondary
Paget’s disease definition?
A disease of increased but uncontrolled bone turnover. It is thought to be primarily a disorder of osteoclasts, with excessive osteoclastic resorption followed by increased osteoblastic activity. Paget’s disease is common (UK prevalence 5%) but symptomatic in only 1 in 20 patients. The skull, spine/pelvis, and long bones of the lower extremities are most commonly affected.
Paget’s features?
Only 5% symptomatic
1. Older male with bone pain and isolated raised ALP
2. Bone pain = pelvis, lumbar, spine, femur
3. Classical untreated = bowing of tibia, bossing of skull
Paget’s Ix?
- Bloods = Raised ALP
- Bone turnover markers = PINP, CTx, NTx, urinary hydroxyproline
- XR = osteolysis in early disease –> mixed lytic/sclerotic lesions later
- Skull XR = thickened vault. osteoporosis circumscripta
- Bone scintigraphy = increased uptake seen focally at sites of active bone lesions
Paget’s indications for treatment?
- Bone pain
- Skull or long bone deformity
- Fracture
- Periarticular Paget’s
Paget’s Rx?
- Bisphosphonate (either oral risedronate or IV zoledronate)
- Calcitonin used less commonly now
Paget’s complications?
- Deafness (cranial nerve entrapment)
- Bone sarcoma (1% if affected for >10 years)
- Fractures
- Skull thickening
- High output cardiac failure
PMR features?
- > 60 y/o
- Rapid onset <1m
- Aching, morning stiffness in proximal limb muscles (weakness is not considered a symptoms of PMR)
- Constitutional
PMR Ix?
- Raised inflammatory markers e.g. ESR > 40 mm/hr
- CK and EMG normal
PMR Rx?
Prednisolone e.g. 15mg OD –> typically respond dramatically to steroids, failure to do so should prompt consideration of an alternative diagnosis
Most common cardiac manifestation of SLE?
Pericarditis
Most common glomerulonephritis in SLE?
Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis
Low calcium, low phosphate, raised ALP?
Osteomalacia
Bone pain, tenderness and proximal myopathy?
Osteoamalacia
Osteomalacia definition?
Softening of the bones secondary to low vitamin D levels that in turn lead to decreased bone mineral content
Osteomalacia causes?
- Vitamin D deficiency = malabsorption, lack of sunlight, diet
- CKD
- Drugs e.g. anticonvulsants
- Inherited e.g. hypophosphataemic rickets
- Liver disease e.g. cirrhosis
Osteomalacia features?
- Bone pain
- Bone/muscle tenderness
- Fractures = especially femoral neck
- Proximal myopathy = may lead to waddling gait
Osteomalacia Ix?
- Bloods = Low Vit D, low calcium, low phosphate, raised ALP
- XR = translucent bands (Looser’s zones or pseudofractures)
Osteomalacia Rx?
- Vitamin D supplementation (loading dose often needed initially)
- Calcium supplementation if dietary calcium inadequate
Gell and Coombs classification?
- Type I = Anaphylactic
- Type II = Cell bound
- Type III = Immune complex
- Type IV = Delayed hypersensitivity
Type I Reaction mushkies?
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Antigen reacts with IgE bound to mast cells
- E.g. anaphylaxis, atopy
Type II Reaction mushkies?
- Cell bound
- IgG or IgM binds to antigen on cell surface
- E.g. AIHA, ITP, Goodpasture’s, RhF, Pemphigus
Type III reaction mushkies?
- Immune complex mediated
- Free antigen and antibody (IgG, IgA) combine
- E.g. serum sickness, SLE, Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, Acute EAA
Type IV reaction mushkies?
- Delayed hypersensitivity
- T-cell mediated
- TB, GVHD, Allergic contact dermatitis, scabies, Chronic EAA, MS, GBS
Type V reaction mushkies?
- Antibodies that recognise and bind to cell surface receptors
- E.g. Graves’ disease, Myasthenia Gravis
Gout definition?
A form of microcrystal synovitis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate in the synovium. It is caused by chronic hyperuricaemia (uric acid > 450 µmol/l)
Gout acute management?
- NSAIDs or Colchicine first line
- Maximum dose NSAIDs until 1-2 days after symptoms have settled
- Oral steroids if NSAIDs or colchicine C/I, usually 15mg/d
- Intra-articular steroid injection
- If already on allopurinol, should be continued
Indications for urate-lowering therapy?
- To all patients after their first attack of gout
- Particularly recommended if: >=2 attacks in 12 months, tophi, renal disease, uric acid renal stones, prophylaxis if on cytotoxics or diuretics
Urate lowering therapy mushkies?
- Allopurinol first line
- Commencement of ULT is best delayed until inflammation has settled as ULT is better discussed when the patient is not in pain
- Initial 100mg OD, titrated every few weeks for serum uric acid of <300, lower initial doses used if pt has reduced eGFR
- Colchicine cover should be considered when starting allopurinol, NSAIDs can be used if cannot be tolerated
Second line ULT?
Febuxostat
Refractory gout cases ULT?
- Uricase
- Pegloticase can achieve rapid control of hyperuricaemia, given as infusion once every 2 weeks
Gout further management?
- Stop precipitating drugs e.g. thiazides
- Losartan has specific uricosuric action and may be particularly suitable for the many patients who have coexistent hypertension
- Increased vitamin C intake (either supplements or through normal diet) may also decrease serum uric acid levels
Bisphosphonate MOA?
Pyrophosphate analogue, a molecule which decreases demineralisation in bone. They inhibit osteoclasts by reducing recruitment and promoting apoptosis.
Bisphosphonate uses?
- Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
- Hypercalcaemia
- Paget’s disease
- Pain from bone metastases
Bisphosphonates adverse effects?
- Oesophageal reaction = oesophagitis, ulcers (especially alendronate)
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- Increased risk of atypical stress fractures of the proximal femoral shaft in pts taking alendronate
- Acute phase response = fever, myalgia and arthralgia may occur following administration
- Hypocalcaemia due to reduced calcium efflux from bone, usually clinically unimportant
Oral bisphosphonate counselling?
Tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water while sitting or standing; to be given on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast (or another oral medication); patient should stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking tablet
What needs to be corrected before giving bisphosphonates?
Hypocalcaemia/Vitamin D deficiency
When should you stop bisphosphonates at 5 years?
- < 75 y/o
- Femoral neck T score of >-2.5
- Low risk according to FRAX/NOGG§
Psoriatic arthritis mushkies?
An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis and is classed as one of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. It correlates poorly with cutaneous psoriasis and often precedes the development of skin lesions. Around 10-20% of patients with skin lesions develop an arthropathy with males and females being equally affected
Psoriatic arthritis patterns?
- Symmetrical polyarthritis = 30-40%, most common, similar to RhA
- Asymmetrical oligoarthritis = 20-30%, typically affects hands and feet
- Sacroiliitis
- DIP joint disease (10%)
- Arthritis mutilans (severe deformity fingers/hand, ‘telescoping fingers’)
Psoriatic arthritis other signs?
- Psoriatic skin lesions
- Periarticular disease = tenosynovitis and soft tissue inflammation resulting in enthesitis, tenosynovitis, dactylitis
- Nail changes = pitting, onycholysis
Psoriatic arthritis Ix?
- XR = often have the unusual coexistence of erosive changes and new bone formation, periostitis, ‘pencil-in-cup’ appearance
Psoriatic arthritis Rx?
Should be managed by rheumatologist, similar to Rx of RhA, however following differences are noted:
1. Mild peripheral arthritis/mild axial disease may be treated with ‘just’ an NSAID, rather than all patients being on disease-modifying therapy as with RA
2. Use of monoclonal antibodies such as ustekinumab (targets both IL-12 and IL-23) and secukinumab (targets IL-17)
3. Has a better prognosis than RA
Predominantly DIP disease?
Psoriatic arthritis
Predominantly MCP/PIP disease?
RhA
Antiphospholipid syndrome?
An acquired disorder characterised by a predisposition to both venous and arterial thromboses, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia. It may occur as a primary disorder or secondary to other conditions, most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Antiphospholipid syndrome APTT effect?
Causes a pradoxical rise, due to ex-vivo reaction of lupus anticoagulant autoantibodies with phospholipids involved in the coagulation cascade
Antiphospholipid syndrome features?
- Venous/arterial thrombosis
- Recurrent foetal loss
- Livedo reticularis
- Thrombocytopenia
- Prolonged APTT
- Other features = pre-eclampsia, pulmonary HTN
Antiphospholipid syndrome Rx?
- Primary thromboprophylaxis = low dose aspirin
- Secondary thromboprophylaxis = initial VTE (lifelong warfarin with INR 2-3), recurrent VTE (target INR 3-4, if happened while on warfarin then add aspirin), arterial thrombosis (lifelong warfarin INR 2-3)
Hip Osteoarthritis features?
- Pain exacerbated by exercise and relieved by rest
- Reduction in internal rotation is often the first sign
- Age, obesity and previous joint problems are risk factors
Hip Inflammatory arthritis features?
- Pain in the morning
- Systemic features
- Raised inflammatory markers
Referred lumbar spine pain to the hip featurs?
Femoral nerve compression may cause referred pain in the hip
Femoral nerve stretch test may be positive - lie the patient prone. Extend the hip joint with a straight leg then bend the knee. This stretches the femoral nerve and will cause pain if it is trapped
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (Trochanteric bursitis) features?
Due to repeated movement of the fibroelastic iliotibial band
Pain and tenderness over the lateral side of thigh
Most common in women aged 50-70 years
Meralgia paraesthetica features?
Caused by compression of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh
Typically burning sensation over antero-lateral aspect of thigh
Avascular necrosis of the hip features?
Symptoms may be of gradual or sudden onset
May follow high dose steroid therapy or previous hip fracture of dislocation
Pubic symphysis dysfunction features?
Common in pregnancy
Ligament laxity increases in response to hormonal changes of pregnancy
Pain over the pubic symphysis with radiation to the groins and the medial aspects of the thighs. A waddling gait may be seen
Transient idiopathic osteoporosis features?
An uncommon condition sometimes seen in the third trimester of pregnancy
Groin pain associated with a limited range of movement in the hip
Patients may be unable to weight bear
ESR may be elevated