Rheumatology Flashcards
What are features of polymyalgia rheumatica?
Weight loss Proximal muscle stiffness and tenderness Headaches Scalp tenderness Raised ESR
Why can false negatives occur with temporal biopsy in temporal arteritis?
The disease may patchily affect the artery so the sample may not contain inflammation
Why is it important to recognise and treat temporal arteritis early?
Reduce morbidity
Prevent blindness due to involvement of the optic arteries with retinal ischaemia
A 7 year old girl presents with ankle and knee pain and a skin rash. She has been well apart from a cold two weeks previously. She had a full term normal delivery with no neonatal problems. Her immunisations are up to date. There is no family or social history of note. On examination she looks well. The temperature is 37.8 with RR15, HR 80 and BP 100/70. She has a scanty non blanching rash over the shins. Her abdomen is soft and non tender. There is swelling, redness, tenderness and deceased movement of the right knee and left ankle. What is the likely diagnosis? What tests should be done now?
Henoch Schonlein purpura
Urine dipstick to look for renal involvement
A 76 year old lady presents with severe headache and pain on combing her hair. She has also noticed recent episodes of visual loss which last only a few seconds. During the past weeks she has been feeling more tired and has found it difficult to get up in the mornings due to stiff and aching joints. What is the immediate management?
Prednisolone 40-60mg daily
What are presenting complaints of Wegeners granulomatosis?
Severe haemorrhagic rhinorrhoea Paranasal sinusitis Nasal mucosal ulceration Serous or purulent otitis media Hearing loss Cough Haemoptysis Pleuritis Haematuria
What renal changes do you often see in Wegeners granulomatosis?
Glomerulonephritis with proteinuria, haematuria and red cell casts
What blood results might you see in Wegeners granulomatosis?
Raised ESR
Leukocytosis
Anaemia
ANCA
What are the Duckett Jones criteria for acute rheumatic fever?
Major: Migratory polyarthritis Pancarditis Chorea Erythema marginatum Nodules Minor: Fever Arthralgia Raised inflammatory indices Prolonged PR interval Diagnosis: recent strep infection, two major or one major and two minor criteria
What is splenomegaly associated with RA called?
Feltys syndrome
What are associated complications with RA?
Vasculitis
Pericarditis
Normochromic normocytic anaemia
Instability of Atlanto-axial joint
A 24 year old woman from western India presents with symptoms of lethargy and dizziness worse on turning her head. On examination her blood pressure is 176/128. Her pulses are impalpable at all peripheral sites. Auscultation of her chest reveals a systolic heart murmur. What is the diagnosis?
Takayasus arteritis
What conditions are associated as part of the autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome?
Pernicious anaemia Type 1 diabetes Addison's disease Vitiligo Sjogrens syndrome
What are features of SLE?
Fatigue Fevers Mouth ulcers Lymphadenopathy Malar rash Photosensitivity Raynauds Livedo reticularis Arthralgia Myocarditis Pleurisy Fibrosing alveolitis Glomerulonephritis Anxiety and depression Psychosis
What is the prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis?
1 in 2000
What are some complications of ankylosing spondylitis?
Chest pain/carditis Aortic regurgitation Cardiac conduction abnormalities Decrease in thoracic excursion Periositis of calcaneum and ischial tuberosities Amyloidosis Iritis Lung fibrosis
What immunology tests may be positive in SLE?
ANA 99% RF 20% Anti ds DNA Anti Smith Anti Ro Anti La
How can SLE be regularly monitored?
ESR
Complement levels low during active disease
Anti ds DNA titres
What is Feltys syndrome?
Splenomegaly and neutropenia in patient with RA
What are complications of RA?
Resp: pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, nodules, methotrexate pneumonitis Ocular: keratoconjunctivitis sicca, episcleritis, scleritis, corneal ulceration, keratitis, steroid induced cataracts, chloroquine retinopathy Osteoporosis Ischaemic heart disease Increased risk of infections Depression Feltys syndrome Amyloidosis
A 48 year old male presents with an 8 week history of epistaxis and nasal stuffiness. On examination there is evidence of nasal crusting. A chest X-ray demonstrates multiple cavitary lesions, what is the diagnosis and what is the most appropriate antibody test?
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (wegeners)
ANCA
What are features of granulomatosis with polyangiitis?
Upper respiratory tract: epistaxis, sinusitis, nasal crusting
Lower respiratory tract: dyspnoea, haemoptysis
Rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis
Saddle shaped nose deformity
Vasculitic rash
Proptosis
Cranial nerve lesions
What are features of antiphospholipid syndrome?
Recurrent miscarriages Strokes Thrombocytopenia DVT/PE MI Rash: livedo reticularis Chronic headaches, migraines
What investigations should be done for granulomatosis with polyangiitis?
cANCA positive in 90%
Chest X-ray
Renal biopsy: epithelial crescents in bowmans capsule
What is the management for granulomatosis with polyangiitis?
Steroids
Cyclophosphamide
Plasma exchange
What is the acute management of gout?
NSAIDs
Intra articular steroid injections
Colchicine
Oral steroids
What are features of temporal arteritis?
Rapid onset <1 month Headache Jaw claudication Visual disturbance secondary to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy Tender palpable temporal artery Features of PMR: aching, morning stiffness Lethargy Depression Low grade fever Anorexia Night sweats
What are some side effects of methotrexate?
Myelosuppression
Liver cirrhosis
Pneumonitis
What are some side effects of sulfasalazine?
Rashes
Oligospermia
Heinz body anaemia
Interstitial lung disease
What are some side effects of leflunomide?
Liver impairment
Interstitial lung disease
HTN
What are some side effects of hydroxychloroquine?
Retinopathy
Corneal deposits
What are some side effects of prednisolone treatment?
Cushingoid features Osteoporosis Impaired glucose tolerance HTN Cataracts
What is a side effects of gold?
Proteinuria
What are some side effects of penicillamine?
Proteinuria
Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis
What are some side effects of etanercept?
Demyelination
Reactivation of TB
What are some side effects of azathioprine?
Black tarry stools Bleeding gums Blood in urine Fever Sores/ulcers in lips or mouth
What are X-ray findings of osteoarthritis?
Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Subchondral sclerosis
Subchondral cysts
What are X-ray findings of rheumatoid arthritis?
Loss of joint space
Erosions
Soft tissue swelling
Soft bones - osteopenia
What is schobers test?
Line drawn 10 cm above and 5cm below back dimples. Distance between 2 lines should increase by more than 5cm when patients bends as far forwards as possible
Which respiratory problems may present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
Pulmonary fibrosis Pleural effusion Pulmonary nodules Bronchiolitis obliterans Methotrexate pneumonitis Pleurisy Caplans syndrome Infection secondary to immunosuppression
Which antibodies are associated with systemic sclerosis?
ANA
RF
Anti scl 70
Anti centromere
What tests can confirm antiphospholipid syndrome?
Lupus anticoagulant
Anti cardiolipin antibodies
What clotting abnormality might be detected in antiphospholipid syndrome?
Prolonged APTT that doesn’t correct when mixed with normal plasma
What are similarities and differences between granulomatosis with polyangiitis and churg Strauss syndrome?
Wegeners: renal failure, epistaxis, haemoptysis, cANCA
Both: vasculitis, sinusitis, dyspnoea
Churg-Strauss: asthma, pANCA, eosinophilia
Which systems are commonly involved in polyarteritis nodosa?
Skin Joints Peripheral nerves GI tract Kidney
What type of glomerulonephritis occurs in henoch schonlein purpura?
Membranoproliferative
What is lupus pernio?
Macular popular violaceous rash over nose cheeks and ears due to granulomatous infiltration of the skin usually due to sarcoidosis
What is lofgrens syndrome?
Erythema nodosum
Polyarthritis
Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
Why can sarcoidosis be associated with diabetes insipidus?
Sarcoid tissue may infiltrate endocrine glands
If it infiltrates the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary it can lead to cranial DI
What are the most common causes of erythema nodosum in the U.K?
Sarcoidosis Tuberculosis OCP Strep infections EBV IBD Haematological malignancies
What are some complications of sarcoidosis?
Eyes: Anterior uveitis, conjunctival deposits, dry eyes, choroidoretinitis, retinal haemorrhages
Heart: Cardiomyopathy, conduction system disease, cardiac failure
Diabetes insipidus
Skin: lupus pernio, erythema nodosum
Which types of clots do people with antiphospholipid syndrome get?
MI Recurrent miscarriage DVT Stroke Pulmonary hypertension due to thromboembolic disease
What is Takayasus arteritis?
Large vessel granulomatous vasculitis with intimal fibrosis and vascular narrowing
Young or middle age women of Asian descent
Mainly affects aorta, branches of and the pulmonary arteries
Inflammatory phase: malaise, fever, night sweats, joint pain
Fainting due to subclavian steak syndrome or carotid sinus sensitivity
Pulseless phase: vascular insufficiency, arm or leg claudication, renal artery stenosis and HTN
What is Buergers disease?
Thromboangiitis obliterans
Inflammation and thrombosis of small and medium arteries and veins of hands and feet
Strongly associated with smoking
What are some facial features of systemic sclerosis?
Facial telangiectasia
Small mouth
Beaking of the nose
What is the management for raynauds?
Calcium channel blockers eg nifedipine
IV prostacyclin infusions
What is lofgrens syndrome?
Acute form of sarcoidosis Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy Erythema nodosum Fever Polyarthralgia
What is Mikulicz syndrome?
Form of sarcoidosis with enlargement of parotid and lacrimal glands
Can also be due to TB or lymphoma
What is Heerfordts syndrome?
Uveoparotid fever Parotid enlargement Fever Uveitis Secondary to sarcoidosis
When should allopurinol be started after an attack of gout?
Start if 2 or more episodes in a 12 month period
What level of uric acid is diagnostic for gout?
> 450 micromol/l
What are skin features of dermatomyositis?
Photosensitive Macular rash over back and shoulders Heliotrope rash in periorbital region Gottrons papules Nail fold capillary dilatation
What are non skin features of dermatomyositis?
Proximal muscle weakeness/tenderness Raynauds Respiratory muscle weakness Interstitial lung disease - fibrosing alveolitis or organising pneumonia Dysphagia Dysphonia
What are characteristics of behchets syndrome?
Recurrent oral and genital ulcers Uveitis Seronegative arthritis Central nervous system symptoms Fever Thrombophlebitis Erythema nodosum Abdominal symptoms Vasculitis