Rheumatology Flashcards

1
Q

which gender is more susceptible to RA?

A

women:men = 3:1 :(

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2
Q

the etiology of RA is unknown, but what are some possible contributing factors?

A
  • genetics
  • environmental factors
  • certain cells might be involved (mast cells etc)
  • autoimmune involvement (body attacks itself)
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3
Q

what is a pannus?

A

It is a layer of fibrovascular tissue that forms in the synovial membrane - it thickens the synovium and the body then releases tissue degrading enzymes and more synovial fluid into the joint space and degrades everything and makes it swell.

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4
Q

what are the three main physical results of RA?

A

joint degeneration
ligamentous laxity
joint deformities

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5
Q

what are some possible non-articular signs and symptoms of RA?

A
fatigue
general malaise
low grade fever
aenemia
depression
weakness
weight loss
  • possibly hard fibrous tissue nodules (up to 50% ppl)
  • vasculitis, Raynauds
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome (eye and mouth dryness, scleritis and episcleritis)
  • pulmonary fibrosis and pleurisy
  • pericarditis and pericardial effusion
  • carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome or other peripheral neuropathies
  • GI, renal or hematological symptoms
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6
Q

what happens to the joints (signs and symptoms)?

A
  • morning stiffness (After inactivity)
  • symmetrical pain and swelling in certain joints (esp hands and feet)
  • joint deformities
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7
Q

describe swan neck and boutonierre deformities
MCP - PIP - DIP
what are some other deformities that can happen with RA?

A

Swan neck = flex - ext - flex
Boutonierre = ext - flex - ext

zig-zag deformity (RD of wrist with UD of MCP)
UD at MCP
volar subluxation of MCP with swelling
mallet toe (DIP flex)
hammer toe (ext - flex - ext => like Boutonierre)
claw toe (ext - flex - flex)
hallux valgus
genu valgus and varus
C1-2 subluxation
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8
Q

what kind of lab tests can help indicate the presence of RA?

A
  • serology (rheumatoid factor and antibodies)
  • acute phase reactants (proteins associated with inflammation)
  • hemoglobin levels (anemia)
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9
Q

what can bone scintigraphy (bone scan) tell?

A
  • level of bone remodeling at joints
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10
Q

lupus affects which gender at a 5:1 ratio?

A

women

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11
Q

what do lupus and RA have in common?

A

both are systemic, chronic, inflammatory disorders with unknown etiologies but genetics plays a role, plus there is autoimmune involvement.

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12
Q

what systems can be affected by lupus?

A

skin: butterfly and other rashes, photosensitivity and ulcers.
muscles: myositis (resembles polymyositis).
joints: symmetric, inflammatory, non-erosive of distal > proximal capsule and supporting structures.
heart: pericarditis, myocarditis, accelerated atherosclerosis.
lungs: pleurisy, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism or hypertension, interstitial lung disease.
kidneys: mild involvement but can have renal failure.
GI: nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, peritonitis, colitis.
blood vessels: vasculitis, scin ulcers, GI bleeds, bowel infarction.
nervous system: stroke, seizure, headaches, peripheral or central neuropathies, depression, psychosis

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13
Q

what is usually present in the serum of those with lupus?

A

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)

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14
Q

what is pancytopenia? Is this associated with lupus?

A

low levels of WBCs, platelets, and RBCs

yes

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15
Q

does scleroderma affect women or men more? what is the most common presenting symptom?

A

women 3:1

Raynauds

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16
Q

what type of tissues does scleroderma affect? What does it do to these tissues?

A

affects connective tissue in skin and internal organs. Results in inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis.

17
Q

what are the two types of scleroderma?

A

limited (CREST) or diffuse.

Limited has Calcinosis, Raynauds, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia
usually distal to elbows/knees, less organ involvement, favourable prognosis.

Diffuse has involvement of trunk and proximal limbs, more organ involvement and permanent organ damage - less favourable prognosis. Can have “Mauskopf” facial changes

18
Q

what systems can scleroderma affect?

A

skin - thickening
msk - erosive arthritis, myositis
GI - heartburn, atrophy of m so dysmotility, distension
lung - pulmonary fibrosis and hypertension
heart - myocardial fibrosis (can lead to sudden death)
kidney - renal hypertension, rapid failure

19
Q

Describe the progression of Scleroderma in the hands

A

starts as sausage digits, progresses to sclerodactyly with bone resorption, contractures (MCP ext and PIP flex) and calcium deposits with open areas oozing chaulky material.

20
Q

Does gout affect men or women more?

A

Men!

21
Q

is gout chronic or acute?

A

acute

22
Q

what causes gout? What do patients usually present with?

A

hyperuricemia (too much uric acid in blood - forms hard crystals that usually hit one MTP joint)
patients present with rapid redness and swelling of a joint accompanied by excruciating pain. Can have fever, chills, not able to weight bear or allow light touch, and will usually recover in 1-2 weeks.

23
Q

Does AS affect women or men more commonly?

A

Men

24
Q

The etiology of AS is unknown, but genetics are likely a factor. What other disease(s) are genetically linked with AS?

A

inflammatory bowel diseases (Chrons and ulcerative colitis)

25
Q

which joints are most affected by AS?

A

axial skeleton, SI, sometimes large proximal appendicular joints

26
Q

what are some other manifestations of AS other than inflammation of joints and subsequent bone formation (ankylosing the joints)

A
  • inflammation of tendon/ligament attachments and fascia
  • ocular inflammation
  • cardiomyopathy
  • chronic infiltrative changes in upper lung lobes
27
Q

what would a patient with AS look like?

A

Early:

  • night pain and morning stiffness (increase pain with immobility)
  • long term pain and stiffness in mid/low back ( >3 months)
  • loss of mobility of spine and loss of lumbar lordosis
  • limited chest expansion
  • low-grade fever, fatigue, anemia, loss of apetite, iritis
28
Q

what are the three criteria for diagnosis of AS?

A
  • history of inflammatory back pain
  • loss of spinal mobility
  • radiological evidence of sacroilitis
29
Q

what would be expected on X-rays in early and late stages of AS?

A
  • Sacroiliitus and squaring of vertebral bodies in early stages
  • bamboo spine and fusion in late stages
30
Q

are AS patients usually positive or negative for rheumatoid factor?

A

negative

31
Q

What does DMARD stand for?

A

Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug

32
Q

what is usually given until DMARDS kick in?

A

NSAIDS or glucocorticosteroids

33
Q

what is the most common DMARD prescribed?

A

methotrexate

34
Q

the main downside of biologics is ____

A

cost ( > $20000 per year)

35
Q

what type of drug is inflectra? what is it similar to?

A

biosimilar - similar to Remicade

36
Q

how many points on the EULAR & ACR scale is needed to be diagnosed with RA? What are the 4 categories where one can have points?

A

6 points, from:

number of joints
RF factor present or not
acute phase reactants present or not
duration (+/- 6 weeks)

37
Q

what are the 5 screening questions for AS?

A
  1. pain begin slowly?
  2. before 40?
  3. morning stiffness?
  4. exercise makes it better?
  5. been happening for more than 3 months?
38
Q

what is a normal result of a modified schober’s test?

A

more than 4 cm longer compared to in neutral