Rheumatology Flashcards
Anti CCP
Linked to rheumatoid arthritis
Very specific but 70% sensitive so -ve find doesn’t exclude.
Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)
SLE, Sjogrens Systemic sclerosis
What titre of ANA is required for +ve significant result
1:160
Ant-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA)
SLE
Specific but not sensitive
Anti-Sm
Very specific to SLE
Anti-Ro
Significant is SLE as liked to foetal heart block if pregnant
Anti-phospholipid
Significant in SLE as increased risk of PE stroke etc
If Anti Phospholipid is +ve what is the next step?
Put on aspirin and low molecular weight heparin
Anti centromere antibody
Systemic sclerosis (limited)
Anti-Scl-70 antibody
Systemic sclerosis (diffuse)
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)
Small vessel vasculitis
Osteoarthritis
Most common form due to ageing and biomechanics stress.
Primary OA
Idiopathic no overt cause simply age related.
Secondary OA
Predisposing condition
List some cause of secondary OA
Cogenital dislocation of the hip.
Osteochondral formation
Crystal arthropathies
Extra articular fracture with malunion.
Signs of OA on an X-Ray
Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Subchondral cysts
Sclerosis
Early sign of OA
Very difficult to see, fissure and fibrillation of the synovium, clusters of chondrocytes
Difficulty of using X-ray for diagnosis?
You have to match the imaging to the patient substantial changes aren’t always symptomatic!!
Common joints affected OA
Unsymmetrical
Hips, Knees, cervical vertebrae, PIP and DIP joints
Treatment for OA
Analgesics NSAIDS
Physiotherapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and tendons.
Interarticular steroid injections for flare ups.
Hyaluronic Acid interarticular injectios
What is Hyaluronic Acid
This is the lubrication found within synovial In Oa this becomes thin.
Are there blood tests required for OA
NO
OA presentation
Worse on activity, improvement with rest
Stiffness in the morning for few minutes
OA examination
Often very little to see.
Hard swellings especially at DIP.
Reduced range of movement.
Squaring of thumb
With regards to the hip in OA, where can the pain radiate too?
Can radiate to the groin.
What are the calcific nodes located on the DIP in OA
Heberden’s Nodes
Think of outer Hebrides
What are the calcific nodes located on the PIP called?
Bouchards Nodes
What features indicate an inflammatory Arthritis
Joint pain associated with swelling Prolonged Morning stiffness Improvement with movement Synovitis on inspection Raised CRP and plasma viscosity Systemic symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis
Most common inflammatory arthropathy.
Clear genetic risk accounting for 50% of cases
Population presentation - RA
Women 3x more likely than men.
Prevalence approximately 1%
Triggers for rheumatoid arthritis flares
Infection, trauma and smoking are common, however still require a genetic predisposition
Synovitis
Inflammation of the synovium resulting in thickening and excess fluid production.
Pathogenesis of RA
Within susceptible genes arginine is swapped for citruline.
The gene becomes denatures and tertiary structure is altered.
New shape acts as a antigen for Anti-CCP.
Immune complexs form which activate immune system.
What is the affect of immune system activation by immune complexes within the joints.
Degradation and destruction of the articular cartilage and surrounding soft tissue.
Joint instability and subluxation.