Rheumatology Flashcards
What is the general assessment method for rheumatological complaints?
Gait Arms Legs Spine
What should be examined when a patient with back pain presents?
Look at back statically and with AP and lat flexion and extension Push on spine and sacroilliac joints Neuro exam of lower limbs (sensation, reflexes, power) Consider PR for tone Examine nerve root pain (straight leg test) Signs of generalised disease and abdo exam
What investigations could be considered in back pain and why?
MRI (prolapse, cord compression, inflammation, tumour) FBC, ESR, CRP (infection, tumour, myeloma) Serum/urine electorphoresis (myeloma) PSA (tumour) U+E and ALP (pagets)
In what different ways can RA present with joint pains?
Typical - small joint swelling, stiffness and pain sparing DIP, worse in the morning Sudden onset widespread Palindromic - moving around various joints either polyarthritis or monoarthritis Persistent monoarthritis
What systemic features can be present in RA?
Lung and elbow nodules Fatigue Fever Weight loss Pericarditis Pleurisy Lymphadenopathy Fibrosing alveolitis Raynauds Carpel tunnel syndrome Peripheral neuropathy Episcleritis Scleritis Keritoconjuctivits sicca
What are the typical hand deformities of RA? Where else may they occur?
Ulnar deviation Boutonnieres Swan neck deformities
What is the eponomous conditions associated with RA?
Feltys syndrome - RA + splenomegally + neutropenia Caplans syndrome - RA lung nodules + coal workers pneumoconiosis
What blood tests are used in RA? Which is sensitive and which is specific?
RF - 70% sensitivity Anti CCP - 98% specificity
What do xrays show on RA?
Loss of joint space Juxta-articular osteopenia Marginal erosions Soft tissue swelling
What scale is used to monitor progress in RA? What is the aim?
Disease Activity Score 28 Swelling or tenderness at 28 joints including PIP, MCP, knees, shoulders, elbows and wrists. ESR and patients reported severity as,so considered. Aim is a score of
Acute treatment options for RA
NSAIDs Steroids - IM, oral, interarticular
What disease modifying treatments are appropriate for RA?
Methotrexate Hydroxychloroquinine Sulfasalazine
When should biological agents be used in RA? Which can be used?
Failure to respond to dmards with DAS28 >5.1 1st line - TNFalpha inhibitors - infliximab 2nd line - B cell depletors - rituximab 3rd line - IL1/IL6 inhibition - tocilizumab OR tcell disruptors - acatacept
Side effects of methotrexate
Hepatic failure Pneumonitis Oral ulcers
Side effects of sulfasalazine
Rash Decreased sperm count Oral ulcers
Side effects of hydroxychloroquinine
Irreversible retinopathy with blindness
What other autoimmune condition often occurs secondary to rheumatoid arthritis?
Sjogrens syndrome
What is sjogrens syndrome?
Autoimmune reaction against glands
Symptoms of sjogrens?
Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) Corneal ulceration Dry mouth Dental caries Dry vagina Dry skin Raynauds Arthralgia Fatigue
What test is used for keratoconjunctivitis sicca?
Schirmers tear test
What autoantibodies are raised in sjogrens?
ANA Anti ro Anti la
Treatment options for sjogrens?
Artificial tears Saliva replacement Hydroxychloroquinine for arthralgia or fatigue Corticosteroids for severe exacerbations
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
Autoantibodies against phospholipids on apoptotic bodies
Signs and symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome
Arterial and venous thrombi Recurrent miscarriage
Positive blood tests in antiphospholipid syndrome
Lupus anticoagulant test persistantly positive
Treatment options for antiphospholipid syndrome
If thrombus formation warfarin When pregnant aspirin and sc heparin
Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia
Constant pain above and below waist Aching Tender trigger points Fatigue Depression Sleep disturbance Associated IBS Headaches
Treatment of fibromyalgia
Reassurance Exercise Depression treatment Pain relief
Good pain relief meds in fibromyalgia
Amitriptyline Gabapentin Nsaids
What is the pathological mechanism of gout?
Hyperuricaemia leads to intra articular sodium urate crystals in cartilage. Stress (dehydration, surgery, alcohol) triggers shedding of crystals into joint resulting in inflammation,
Broad categories of causes of hyperuracemia. Which is a more common cause of gout?
Impaired excretion (90%) Increased production