Rheumatology Flashcards
Clinical findings in neonatal lupus
- Skin lesions
- Cardiac abnormalities: AV block, transposition of great arteries
- Valvular and septal defects
Pathophysiology of SLE
Autoimmune inflammatory condition involving autoantibody production, deposition of immune complexes, complement activation, and accompanying tissue destruction/vasculitis.
Discoid Lupus
Skin lesions without systemic disease
What is a serious cardiac complication of lupus?
Libman Sacks Endocarditis
Is ANA more sensitive or specific?
ANA is sensitive but not specific. That means that almost all patients with SLE have elevated serum ANA levels. But remember SNout, if it is not present, you almost rule out lupus.
ANA is positive in other diseases like RA, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue diseases, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, and drug induced lupus.
What two antibodies if positive are DIAGNOSTIC for SLE? Are these antibodies more sensitive or specific?
Anti-Sm and Anti-ds DNA. These are both very specific. SPin.
What antibodies are positive in drug induced lupus?
Anti-histone. These are present in 100% of cases of drug induced lupus. If negative, drug induced lupus can be ruled out.
Lab marker associated with Wegener’s Granulomatosis
C-ANCA
Lab marker associated with Polyarteritis Nodosa
P-ANCA
Which HLA marker is associated with SLE?
HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR3
Which HLA marker is associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome
HLA-DR3
Which HLA marker is associated with RA?
HLA-DR4
Which HLA marker is associated with ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter Syndrome and psoriatic arthritis?
HLA-B27
Are complement levels usually high or low in lupus?
complement levels are usually decreased.
What is the best long term treatment for SLE?
Antimalarial Hydroxychloroquine–> used for preventative measure even after resolution of symptoms. Good for constitutional, cutaneous, and articular manifestations.
What is the best tx for acute flare of SLE?
Corticosteroids (systemic)
What is the major toxicity of hydroxychloroquine and what should you do to screen for it?
Retinal toxicity, the patient should have annual eye exams.
What is the best treatment for glomerulonephritis associated with lupus?
Cyclophosphamide
What are the 2 most common causes of death in lupus?
Opportunistic infection and renal failure.
What is the pathophysiology of Systemic Scleroderma?
Cytokines stimulate fibroblasts, causing an abnormal amount of collagen deposition. it is the high quantity of collagen that causes the problems associated with the disease. Composition of collagen is normal.
Which type of scleroderma is more common?
Limited (80% of cases)
What is one major difference between drug induced lupus and SLE?
Drug induced lupus doesn’t affect the kidney or CNS
What are some common drugs implicated in drug induced lupus?
INH, hydralazine, procainamide, chlorpromazine, methyldopa, and quinidine
Treatment for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Long term anticoagulation
Typical findings in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
- Recurrent venous thrombosis
- Recurrent arterial thrombosis
- Recurrent fetal loss
- Livedo reticularis
- Thrombocytopenia
What clinical finding is present in virtually all cases of systemic scleroderma?
Raynaud Phenomenon
What is the pathophysiology of Raynaud Phenomenon
Vasospasm and thickening of vessel walls in other digits
What are potential complications of Raynaud’s
ischemia, infarction, gangrene and ulceration
What other clinical findings are present in Systemic Scleroderma?
- Raynaud Phenomenon
- Cutaneous fibrosis
- GI involvement (both diffuse and limited)
Define sclerodactyly
claw like appearance of the hand due to cutaneous fibrosis resulting in tightening of the skin on the extremities.
What are the GI findings associated with systemic scleroderma?
- Dysphagia/reflux from esophageal immobility. When prolonged this can lead to esophageal strictures.
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Constipation/diarrhea
- abdominal distention
- Pseudo-obstruction
Which type of scleroderma is the only type to have pulmonary, cardiac, and renal involvement?
DIFFUSE
What is the most common cause of death from scleroderma?
Pulmonary involvement. This includes pulmonary fibrosis, and/or pulmonary hypertension.
Which antibody is specific for the diffuse form of systemic scleroderma?
Antitopoisomerase-I
Which antibody is specific for the limited form of systemic scleroderma?
Anticentromere antibody
Treatment for scleroderma?
SYMPTOMATIC:
- Bosentan for pulmonary hypertension
- ACE-inhibitors for renal hypertensive crisis
- Cyclophosphamide for pulmonary fibrosis
- Avoid the cold and smoking and use CCBs with Raynaud
- H2 blockers or PPIs for reflux
- NSAIDs for MSK pains
What is CREST syndrome?
A variant of limited systemic scleroderma:
C-calcinosis of the digits
R-raynaud phenomenon
E-esophageal motility dysfunction
S-sclerodactyly of the fingers
T-telangiectasis over the digits and under the nails
What two drugs can be used for lupus nephritis?
IV cyclophosphamide then move to oral mycophenolate mofetil
Which antibody is highly associated with lupus nephritis?
anti-ds-DNA
How do you make the diagnosis of lupus nephritis?
Biopsy (NOT just the antibody!)
What antibody is associated with autoimmune hepatitis?
Anti-smooth muscle antibody
What antibody is associated with Sjogren’s syndrome?
Anti-Ro, Anti-La
What antibody is associated with polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
Anti-Jo
What antibody is associated with primary biliary cirrhosis?
Anti-mitochondrial antibody
Describe the pathophysiology of Sjogren’s Syndrome
Lymphocyte infiltrate and destroy the lacrimal and salivary glands.
What is secondary Sjogren’s syndrome?
Patient’s have sjogren’s syndrome along with another connective tissue disease (SLE, RA, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, etc.)
What is one feared complication of Sjogren’s Syndrome? It is also related to the most common cause of death.
With Sjogrens there is an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Malignancy is the most common cause of death.
What are some of the clinical features of Sjogren’s Syndromes
Dry eyes, dry mouth, cavities, arthralgia, fatigue, interstitial nephritis and vasculitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca
What is the Schirmer Test?
You plate a filter paper in the eye to measure lacrimal gland output.
What is the most accurate way to diagnos Sjogren’s syndrome?
Salivary gland biopsy, but it is not always necessary for the diagnosis.
What is the treatment/therapy for Sjogren’s Syndrome?
- Pilocarpine or Cevimeline to enhance oral and ocular secretions
- Artificial tears
- Ensure good oral hygiene
- NSAIDs for athralgias
anti-U1-RNP antibody is associated with what disease?
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Pathophysiology of RA
Autoimmune conditions that causes inflammation and destruction of the synovium of the joints.
Which joints are typically NOT involved with RA?
The DIP joints are normally spared. It usually involves the MCP and PIP joints as well as the wrists.
What are the characteristic hand deformities associated with RA?
- Ulnar deviation of the MCP
- Boutonniére deformity of the PIP joints (PIP joint is flexed, DIP joint is hyperextended.
- Swan neck deformity (MCP joint is flexed, PIP joint is hyperextended, DIP is flexed)
How do you describe the morning stiffness associated with RA compared to OA?
In RA, there is morning stiffness that improves as the day progresses.
What is one bony involvement that can cause serious complications in patients with RA and what should you do about it?
C1-C2 subluxation which can cause neurologic injury. All RA patients should have C-spine radiographs before undergoing surgery as intubation can cause subluxation and complications.
Where do rheumatoid nodules occur?
They occur in the subcutaneous portion of the skin, over the extensor surfaces. They may also occur in the viscera.
The presence of these nodules portends a worse prognosis.
Are osteophytes present in RA?
No but they are in OA.
What lab findings are seen to make the diagnosis of RA?
- Rheumatoid factor may or may not be elevated
- Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies: specificity is >90%
- Elevated ESR/CRP
- Anemia of chronic disease
What pattern of lung disease is associated with RA
Pulmonary fibrosis–> restrictive lung disease. Honeycomb pattern seen on CXR