Rheumatology Flashcards
What’s the function of oestoblasts?
- Synthesis type I collagen rich matrix (osteoid).
- Secrete RANK-ligand.
What’s the function of osteoclasts?
- Responsible for bone resorption.
What’s the function of RANK-ligand? What inhibitors RANK-ligand?
- Binds to osteoclasts + essential for their formation, function + survival.
- OPG.
What are ESR/CRP?
Inflammatory markers.
Briefly describe vitamin D synthesis
- In liver, 25-hydroxylase converts cholecalciferol into calcifediol.
- In kidneys, 1-alpha-hydroxylase converts calcifediol into calcitriol.
Describe the function of PTH.
- Increases bone resporption + so calcium + phosphate.
- Increases calcium reabsorption in DCT + decreases phosphate reabsorption in PCT.
- Stimulates 1-hydroxylase release, increasing calcitriol + so calcium/phosphate absorption in intestine.
Describe uric acid metabolism.
- Purines (A+G) > hypoxanthine > xanthine > uric acid > monosodium urate.
- Xanthine oxidase converts hypoxanthine > xanthine.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the pathophysiology of OA?
- Non-inflammatory degernative disorder of synovial joints characterised by deterioration of articular cartilage + formation of new bone.
- Progressive destruction of articular cartilage makes exposed subchondral bone become sclerotic, increases vascularity + subchondral cysts form where repair produces cartilaginous growths from chondrocytes which become calcified (osteophytes)
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the aetiology of OA?
- Usually primary with no predisposing factors.
- Secondary OA sometimes occurs to damaged/congenitally abnormal joints.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What are the risk factors of OA?
- Female.
- Family Hx.
- Obesity.
- Occupation (manual labour).
- Increasing age (cumulative effect of trauma + decrease in neuromuscular function).
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What are the symptoms of OA?
- Morning stiffness <30m.
- Joint pain exacerbated by exercise.
- Joint stiffness after rest (gelling).
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What are the signs of osteoarthritis?
Bony swelling's... - DIPJs = Herberden's nodes. - PIPJs = Bouchard's nodes. - Carpal metacarpal joints affected. - Medial surface of knee affected. Joint deformities/tenderness. Reduced range of movement.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What are the investigations for OA?
Plain X-ray = LOSS…
- Loss of joint space.
- Osteophytes.
- Subarticular sclerosis.
- Subchondral cysts.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the non-medical treatment of OA?
- Education.
- Exercise to improve local muscle strength.
- Weight loss.
- PT/OT.
- Walking aids.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the medical treatment for OA?
- Regular paracetamol ± topical NSAIDs.
- Codeine.
- Intra-articular steroid injections.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is the surgical treatment for OA?
- Arthroscopy for loose bodies (can cause locking, e.g. knee).
- Osteotomy (change bone length).
- Arthroplasty (joint replacement).
- Fusion (ankle + foot often).
OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is a negative to arthroplasty?
- Prosthetic joint infection can be a serious complication, requires exchange arthroplasty.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the pathophysiology of RA?
- Autoimmune inflammatory synovial joint disease.
- Chronic inflammation leads to B/T cells + neutrophils to infiltrate the synovium, formation of new synovial blood vessels occur causing synovium to proliferate leading to pannus formation, grows over articular cartilage + destroys it + subchondral bone leading to bony erosions.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the epidemiology of RA?
- 1% prevalence (increased in smokers).
- F:M = 2:1.
- Peak incidence in 40s.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the aetiology of RA?
- Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (Anti-IgG) + anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) lead to defective cell mediated immune response.
- HLA DR4/DRB1 linked.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are the symptoms are RA?
- Morning stiffness (>30m).
- Pain eases with use.
- Swelling.
- Systemic illness like general fatigue, malaise.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are the extra-articular symptoms of RA?
- Eyes = dry, scleritis.
- Neuro = neuropathies like carpal tunnel.
- Haem = lymphadenopathy, anaemia.
- Resp = pleural effusion, nodules.
- Cardio = pericardial effusion, IHD.
- Kidneys = amyloidosis.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are the signs of RA?
Symmetrical swollen painful + stiff joints…
- Typically metacarpophalangeal + PIPJ + wrist affected.
Deformities…
- Ulnar deviation (Swelling of metacarpophalangeal + PIPJ joints).
- Boutonierre thumb (Z-thumb).
- Swan-neck deformity.
Polyarthropathy.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are the investigations for RA?
Bloods... - ESR/CRP raised. - Anaemia (normochromic/cytic). Test for serum antibodies... - Rheumatoid factor (>70% present). - Anti-CCP (specific, predicts disease progression). X-ray shows LESS... - Loss of joint space. - Erosions. - Soft tissue swelling. - Soft bones (osteopenia).
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What is the treatment for RA?
- Early use of 2x DMARDs = methotrexate + sulfasalazine + biological agents (rituximab) to slow progression + target parts of immune system involved in inflammation.
- Steroids help rapidly reduce symptoms.
- NSAIDs/analgesia.
- PT/OT.
- Encourage exercise.
GOUT
What is the pathophysiology of gout?
- Inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricaemia + intra-articular monosodium urate crystals.
- Hyperuricaemia results from overproduction of uric acid/renal underexcretion.
- Urate is derived form breakdown of purines.
GOUT
What is the aetiology + risk factors for gout?
- Hyperuricaemia – idiopathic with impaired renal excretions from CKD, diuretics, HTN.
- Men >75y/o.
- RFs = alcohol, red meat + seafood, chemotherapy.
GOUT
What are the mean differentials for gout?
- Septic arthritis.
- Reactive arthritis.
GOUT
What are the symptoms of gout?
- Hot + swollen joints.
- Toes commonly affected (metatarsophalangeal joint of big toe).
GOUT
What are the signs of gout?
- Tophi = aggregates of urate crystals w/ inflammatory cells, proteolytic enzymes are released leading to erosion.
- Poly-articular inflammatory arthritis.
- Erythema.
GOUT
What are the complications of gout?
Increased risk of developing…
- HTN.
- CVD like stroke.
- Renal disease.
- T2DM.
GOUT
What are precipitating factors for an acute attack of gout?
- Cold/trauma.
- Drugs.
- Dehydration.
- Sepsis.
- Sudden overload.
GOUT
What are the investigations for gout?
Joint fluid aspiration + microscopy…
- Needle-shaped crystals, negatively birefringent under polarised light.
Serum uric acid raised.
Tophi.
GOUT
What is the treatment for gout?
Lifestyle = diet, weight loss, reduce alcohol.
Rest + elevate joint, ice packs.
- NSAIDs like diclofenac, colchicine if NSAIDs C/I.
- Allopurinol.
- Corticosteroids.
- Switching bendroflumethiazide to cosartan.
GOUT
What is the mechanism of action of allopurinol?
- Blocks xanthine oxidase.
PSEUDOGOUT
What is the pathophysiology of pseudogout?
- Deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals on joint surfaces + the crystals ellicit an inflammatory response.
PSEUDOGOUT
What diseases is pseudogout associated with?
- Hyperparathyroidism.
- Haemochromatosis.
- Hypophosphataemia.
PSEUDOGOUT
What is the clinical presentation of gout?
- Acute, hot + swollen joints.
- Usually knee/wrist.
PSEUDOGOUT
What are the investigations of pseudogout?
Joint fluid microscopy…
- Rhomboid-shaped crystals showing positive birefringence in polarised light.
X-ray…
Can show chondrocalcinosis (linear calcification parallel to articular surfaces).
PSEUDOGOUT
What is the treatment for pseudogout?
- Rest + elevate joint, ice packs.
- Joint aspiration w/ NSAIDs/colchicine.
- Intra-articular steroids.
- Methotrexate.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Inflammation of spine leads to erosive damage causing repair/new bone formation, resulting in bony spurs (syndesmophytes) that leads to irreversible fusion of the spine (ankylosis).
- Typically asymmetrical large joints are affected in seronegative spondyloarthropathies.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the aetiology of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Unknown, M>F.
- Strong association with HLA-B27 antigen presenting cell.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Typically young man.
- Increasing pain + prolonged morning stiffness in lower back + buttocks, improves with exercise, not rest.
- Progressive loss of spinal movement.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What are the signs of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Loss of lumbar lordosis (curve).
- Increased kyphosis.
- Limitation of lumbar spine mobility.
- Enthesitis.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What are the investigations for ankylosing spondylitis?
Bloods…
- ESR/CRP often raised.
X-ray…
- Erosion + sclerosis of margins of sarcoiliac joints > sacroilitis.
- Bamboo spine = progressive calficiation of interspinous ligaments + syndesmophytes.
HLA-B27 test, MRI.
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
- Morning exercises to maintain posture + spinal mobility.
- Slow release NSAIDs taken at night to relieve night pain + morning stiffness.
- Methotrexate for peripheral arthritis.
- TNF-alpha inhibitors like rituximab.
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is the pathophysiology + aetiology of psoriatic arthritis?
- Psoriasis occurs commonly at elbow, knees + fingers.
- Occurs in 10–40% of those with psoriasis.
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of psoriatic arthritis?
Skin rash, check behind/in ears + umbilicus... - Symmetrical distribution. - Itchy. - Well-circumscribed margins. - Deep red colour on extensor srufaces. DIPJ involvement.
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What are specific psoriatic arthritis features?
- Symmetrical polyarthritis.
- Dactylitis (inflammation of whole digit).
- Spinal involvement.
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What are the investigations for psoriatic arthritis?
X-rays…
- Pencil in cup deformity in interphalangela joints where bone erosion create pointed appearance + articulating bone is concave.
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What is the treatment for psoriatic arthritis?
- Analgesia + NSAIDs.
- Methotrexate, TNF-alpha inhibitor.
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is the pathophysiology of reactive arthritis?
- Sterile inflammation of the synovial membrane in which arthritis occur as an autoimmune response to infection elsewhere in body, typically GI/GU.
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is the aetiology of reactive arthritis?
- GI infection like Shigella, Salmonella.
- STI like chlamydia trachomatis.
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of reactive arthritis?
Reiter’s syndrome “can’t see, pee or climb a tree”
- Conjunctivitis.
- Urethritis.
- Arthritis.
Acute onset malaise, fatigue, fever.
Low back pain, asymmetrical, oligoarthritis.
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What are the investigations + treatments for reactive arthritis?
- Bloods = CRP/ESR raised.
- Aspirated synovial fluid sterile with high neutrophil count.
- NSAIDs + local corticosteroid injections, methotrexate in relapsing cases.
ENTEROPATHIC ARTHRITIS
What is it associated with? How does it improve? Treatment for resistant cases?
- IBD.
- Improves w/ bowel symptoms.
- DMARDs like methotrexate.
JIA
What is the diagnostic criteria + aetiology of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)?
- Joint swelling/stiffness >6w in children <16y/o + no other cause identified.
- Idiopathic but autoimmune so genetic factors.
JIA
Where should you check especially in JIA + why? Other features of JIA.
- Eyes, lining of eyes + joints very similar so high risk of uveitis.
- Oligoarthritis affecting ≤4 joints, often antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive.
- Enthesitis related JIA is similar to adult ankylosing spondylitis + is HLA-B27 positive.
JIA
What is the treatment of JIA?
Non-medical = education, support, physiotherapy. Medical = steroid joint injections, NSAIDs + methotrexate.
JIA
What are the complications with JIA?
- Damage, deformity, disability.