Rheumatology Flashcards
What conditions fall in the category of seronegative spondyloarthropathy?
Reactive arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
What gene is associated with the development of ankylosing spondylitis?
HLA B27
What joints are largely affected in ankylosing spondylitis?
Sacroiliac joints
Joints of the vertebral column
What is the classical appearance of ankylosing spondylitis seen on spinal XR?
Bamboo spine
What is the classical presentation of ankylosing spondylitis?
Young adult male
Lower back pain and stiffness - improves on exercise, worse at night and in the morning
Pain takes at least 30 minutes to improve on the morning
What are they systemic associations of ankylosing spondylitis?
Apical fibrosis
Anterior uveitis
Aortic regurgitation
Enthesitis - achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis
What clinical examination is important in identifying patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
Modified Shober’s test
What treatments can be used in the management of ankylosing spondylitis?
Morning exercises
NSAIDs
Local steroid injections
TNF alpha blocker - if failed on >2 NSAIDs
What features might be evident on spinal XR which are indicative of ankylosing spondylitis?
Bilateral sacroiliac erosion - more suggestive than HLA B27
Squaring of vertebral bodies
Syndesmophytes
Define osteoarthritis
A disease of synovial joints characterised by cartilage loss and accompanying periarticular change
What are the risk factors of developing osteoarthritis?
Increasing age
Female sex
Abnormal joint
External joint stress (obesity, occupational stress on joints, trauma)
Internal joint stress (crystal deposits, previous joint infection)
What is the classical presentation of osteoarthritis?
Joint pain exacerbated by exercise and relieved by rest
Joint stiffness ROM Joint swelling Signs of synovitis (warmth, effusion) Tenderness around joint Crepitus
In OA, what should ESR and CRP be?
Normal
What are the classical features seen on XR in a joint with osteoarthritis?
Loss of joint space
Osteophytes
Subchondral cysts
Sub-articular sclerosis
What is the management of osteoarthritis?
Conservative:
Exercise/physio
Weight loss
Pharmaceutical: Regular paracetamol Topical NSAIDs Topical capsaicin Oral NSAIDs (gastro-protection) Consider intra-articular steroids
Surgical:
Arthroscopy & debridement
Joint replacement
In what group of patients, can a diagnosis of osteoarthritis be made without requiring further investigation?
Over 45
Typical activity related pain
No morning stiffness or stiffness that lasts less than 30 minutes
Describe the typical presentation of septic arthritis
Single hot, red, swollen painful joint
What pathogens are associated with septic arthritis?
S.aureus
Streptococci
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Haemophilus
What disease can cause an inflammatory arthritis?
Lyme disease (erythema migrans)
What investigations should be instigated in a patient with suspected septic arthritis?
Bloods - FBC (WBC raised), CRP, ESR
Blood cultures
Joint aspirate
Swabs - skin, throat, sputum, urine
XR
If a patient presents with septic arthritis with no risk factor of atypical organisms, what antibiotic should be initiated?
Flucloxacillin
If a patient has suspected septic arthritis and has a risk of MRSA, what antibiotic should be used?
Vancomycin
Define amyloidosis
Deposition of a normally soluble protein in a tissue that disrupts normal function
What are the three main subtypes of amyloid?
AL
AA
Beta-2 microglobulin
Define AL amyloid
Light chain deposition in tissues
Associated with multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia
Define AA amyloid
Complication of chronic inflammatory conditions (RA) and chronic infections (TB, osteomyelitis)
Deposition of serum amyloid A protein predominantly in liver, spleen and kidneys
Define Beta-2 microglobulin amyloid
Typically occurs in dialysis patients
How can amyloidosis present?
Cardiac - heart failure esp restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias
Renal failure
Gastro - vomiting, GI bleed, diarrhoea, splenomegaly
Polyneuropathy
Macroglossia
What stain should be used in the diagnosis of amyloidosis?
Apple green birefringence under Congo red staining
How should AL amyloid be managed?
Treat myeloma (chemo/BMT)
How should AA amyloid be managed?
Treat underlying condition to reduce inflammation
What artery is classically affected in giant cell arthritis?
Temporal artery
What other condition is giant cell arthritis strongly linked to?
Polymyalgia rheumatica
What group of patients have the highest risk of developing giant cell arthritis?
Caucasian females >50 years
How might giant cell arthritis present?
Severe unilateral headache typically around the temporal/forehead
Scalp tenderness
Jaw claudication
Blurred/double vision
Irreversible painless complete sight loss
What are some of the potential systemic symptoms of giant cell arthritis?
Fever Muscle aches Fatigue Anorexia and weight loss Peripheral oedema
How can a definitive diagnosis of giant cell arthritis be made?
Clinical presentation
Raised ESR
Temporal artery biopsy - multinucleated giant cells