Rheumatology Flashcards
What is polymyositis?
Autoimmune-mediated inflammation of striated muscles, presents with proximal muscle weakness.
What is dermatomyositis?
Autoimmune-mediated inflammation of striated muscles in addition to skin changes, usually a rash (same as polymyositis but with addition of skin changes)
What is Raynaud’s Syndrome?
Condition where artery spasm causes episodes of reduced blood flow, typically the fingers turn white and then blue, then as blood flow returns the area turns red and burns (lasts minutes to hours)
What is the treatment for polymyositis and dermatomyositis?
Corticosteroids (and sun protection is important in dermatomyositis)
What is fibromyalgia?
A disorder of central pain processing where the patient experiences chronic widespread pain in all 4 quadrants of the body, the most likely cause is deliberate sleep deprivation
What is the treatment to help improve fibromyalgia?
Lose dose amitryptline (tri-cyclic antidepressant)
Pregabalin
Gabpentin
What is an ESR test?
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - blood test that measures how quickly RBC settle at the bottom of a test tube of blood, faster rate suggests inflammmation in the body
By doing a joint aspirate, what are you looking for?
Infection (septic arthritis)
Crystals (crystal arthritis)
What is the most important investigation in any monoarthritic presentation?
Joint aspirate
What 2 tests can tell you if there is inflammation in the body?
CRP
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
What are the 4 x-ray features of osteoarthritis?
Joint space narrowing
Osteophyte formation
Bony cysts
Subarticular sclerosis
What are the 4 x-ray features of rheumatoid arthritis?
Joint space narrowing
Subluxation and gross deformity
Juxta-articulations osteopenia
Soft tissue swelling
What is Paget’s Disease?
Condition where there is increased bone turnover due to increased numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, leads to bone remodelling, enlargement, deformity and weakness, incidence increases with age
When comparing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which joints of the hand are affected in each?
OA - DIPs and PIPs
RA - PIPs and MCPJs and wrist
What is Swan neck deformity?
Found in RA, when DIP is flexed and PIP hyperextended
What is Boutonnière deformity?
Found in RA, where DIP is hyperextended and PIP is flexed
What is Giant cell arteritis?
Chronic vasculitis of large and medium-sized vessels, most commonly affects arteries originating from the arch of the aorta or supplying muscles of mastication.
What is amaurosis fugax?
Temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes appearing as a black curtain coming down, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the eye
What is gout?
Inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricaemia and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues) most commonly affected joint is 1st MTPJ in the foot
What is the treatment for gout?
NSAIDs, steroids and colchicine.
In chronic cases give urate lowering therapy such as allopurinol or febuxostat.
What is hypermobility spectrum disorder?
Pain syndrome where people can move joints beyond normal limits.
What is osteoarthritis?
Degenerative joint disorder where there is progressive loss of articular cartilage, leading to pain on movement and weight-bearing.
What is osteoporosis?
Skeletal condition where there is low bone mass due to deterioration of bone and disruption of bone structure, leads to increased risk of fracture
What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
Condition where there is pain and stiffness of the shoulder, hip girdles and neck, it is quite often a paraneoplastic syndrome
