Rheumatology Flashcards
Fibromyalgia treatment
Best initial- amitryptyline
Other treatments- milnacipran (serotonin and norepinephrine uptake
inhibitor), pregabalin
Fibromyalgia diagnosis
Clinical
Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome
Pregnancy Diabetes RA Acromegaly Amyloidosis Hypothyroidism
Nerve involved in carpal tunnel syndrome
Most commonly median nerve
Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome
Mostly clinical to confirm
-Tinel sign: pain with tapping of median nerve
-Phalen sign: pain with flex ion of wrist to 90 degrees
Most accurate test: electromyography and nerve conduction testing.
Carpal tunnel treatment
Best initial: wrist splints
First line medical therapy: NSAIDs
If no response to NSAIDs, use STEROID injections
LAST RESORT: surgery
What is Dupuytren contracture?
Nodule formation and contracture of the forth and fifth fingers.
Associated with alcoholism and cirrhosis
Patients lose ability to extend their fingers
Dupuytren contracture treatment
Triamcinolone
Lidocaine
Collagenase injections- helpful in early stages
Rotator cuff injury diagnosis
Mostly clinical-inability to flex or abduct shoulder
Most accurate: MRI- tear of primal end of long head of bicep tendon
Treatment of rotator cuff injury
Best initial: NSAIDs, rest and PT.
If above fails: STEROID injections
SURGERY for complete tears and those not responding to the above
Patellofemoral syndrome
Anterior knee pain secondary to trauma, imbalance of quadriceps strength, or meniscus tear.
Pain is in front of the knee and under the patella
Symptoms worse walking just after having been seated for a long time
PE: crepitus, joint locking, instability
Diagnosis and treatment of patella femoral syndrome
DX: X-ray are normal
Tx: physical therapy, strength training with cycling
Diagnostic tests for RA
Rheumatoid factor ( nonspecific) Anti-CCP - most specific Radiographs: erosive joints, osteopenia Diagnosis is based on point system: 6 or more points needed -joint involvement (up to 5 points) -ESR or CRP (1 point) -duration longer than 6 weeks (1 point) -RF or anti-CCP (1 point)
What is the most common cause of death in RA patients?
Coronary artery disease
A patient with long standing RA is having a coronary bypass surgery. Which of the following is the most important prior to surgery? A. Cervical spine X-ray B. Rheumatoid factor C. Extra dose of methotrexate D. ESR E. Pneumococcal vaccination
A. Cervical spine X-ray
RA is associated with C1/C2 subluxation. Cervical spine imaging to detect possible instability of thr vertebra is essential prior to the hyperextension of the neck that typically occurs with endotracheal intubation.
RA treatment
Best initial DMARD: methotrexate
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors -1st line if no response to MTX
- infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept
Rituximab (removes CD20 positive lymphocytes from circulation)
- used in combination with MTX if no response to TNF agents
Hydroxychloroquine- mild disease. Used in combination with MTX
Sulfasalazine, leflunomide, abatacept- combined with MTX
Symptomatic and pain control: NSAIDs and steroids
Methotrexate- folate antagonist
Toxicity?
Liver toxicity
Bone marrow suppression
Pulmonary toxicity
Folic acid supplements required
TNF alpha toxicity
Reactivation of TB: screen with a PPD prior to their use
Infection
Hydroxychloroquine toxicity
Retinal toxicity
Sulfasalazine toxicity
Bone marrow toxicity
Hemolysis with G6PD deficiency
Rash
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Best initial: aspirin or NSAIDs
If no response to either, STEROIDS
If fails: TNF drugs
What 2 changes are seen in acute lupus flare?
Complement levels drop and anti-DS DNA levels rise
Treatment of acute lupus flare
Bolus of STEROIDS
When is kidney biopsy recommended in lupus patients?
If patients present with anti double-stranded DNA
Lupus treatment mostly recommended for skin and joint manifestations
Hydroxychloroquine
Drug that controls progression of lupus
Belimumab
Treatment of lupus NEPHRITIS
Steroids + Cyclophosphamide/mycophenolate
Hydroxychloroquine toxicity
Retinal toxicity therefore need eye exams every 6 months
Most common cause of death in elderly SLE patients
MI due to accelerated atherosclerosis
Coagulation studied in Antiphospholipid syndrome
Elevated PTT
Normal: PT and INR
Is VDRL positive or negative in antiphospholipid syndrome
Usually false positive VDRL or RPR seen with normal FTA (distinguishes APS from syphillis)
Antibodies responsible for spontaneous abortions in antiphospholipid syndrome
Anticardiolipin antibody
Best initial test for antiphospholipid syndrome
mixing study-to distinguish between clotting factor deficiency and APL.
Patients plasma is mixed with an equal amount of normal plasma. In clotting factor deficiency, PTT will normalize after mixing study.
In APL, antibody present in the patients plasma will keep PTT elevated.
The mot specific test Lupus anticoagulant in APL
Russell viper venom test- prolonged with APL antibodies
Treatment of asymptomatic Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
asymptomatic disease does not need to be treated
treatment of first thrombotic episode of APL syndorme
wrfarin and heparin with INR target of 2-3
treatment of recurrent thrombotic episdes
LIFELONG treatment of warfarin
treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortions due to APL syndrome
heparin and Aspirin
avoid warfarin and steroids!!!!
treatment of scleroderma that slows the process
methotrexate