Rheumatology Flashcards
what is the difference between mono, oligo and polyarthiritis?
mono= 1 joint affected oligo= 2-4 joints poly= >4 joints
What is the difference between mechanical and inflammatory arthiritis
mechanical= worse in evening, after use, better in morning and with rest inflammatory= better with use, worse in morning, marked stiffness in morning
Give 3 differentials for generalised joint pain
cancer, vit D deficiency, hypercalcaemia, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia
How would you investigate generalised joint pain?
- Vit D
- Ca2+ levels
- TFTs
- total body PET
- ask about symptoms of systemic autoimmune disease (dry eyes/ mouth, rashes, etc)
If all clear then fibromyalgia
What is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy?
HLA B27 related arthropathies where rheumatoid factor is negative, usually causing spinal pain. Presents with localised mono/ poly arthritis with joint swelling
What are the 5 seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
SPEAR Spondylitis in juveniles Psoriatic arthritis Enteropathic arthritis (related to UC or crohns) Ankylosing spondylitis Reactive arthritis
How does reactive arthritis usually present?
Asymmetrical oligoarthritis with joint swelling, usually of lower limbs 2 days- 3weeks after any sort of infection- which may be asymptomatic and undetected like chlamydia.
How is reactive arthritis treated?
Often resolves on it own within 6 months but may need antibiotics. if doesnt resolve in 2 years they may need DMARDs
What is riters syndrome
Combination of conjunctivitis, reactive arthritis and urethritis- a notable way for reactive arthritis to present.
Cant see cant pee cant climb a tree
How does psoriatic arthritis usually present?
Usually symetrical inflammatory oligoarthritis, often very similar to rheumatoid A. With dactylitis or “sausage fingers”. Can be monoarthritis. It occurs in 1/10 with psoriasis and can preceed skin changes. can be asymetrical or monoarthritis.
What are treatment options for psoriatic arthritis?
Acutely use 15mg pred and theyll improve within 5 days. then slowly taper over 18months. NSAIDs, methotrexate, sulphasalazine, anti TNF agents all work
How does polymyalgia rheumatica present?
Joint stiffness and pain (NOT WEAKNESS) which starts in hip, shoulders and neck. Its worse in morning and relieved by movement and NSAIDS.
What inflammatory condition is associated with PMR?
giant cell arteritis
How do polymyositis and dermatomyositis present?
Diffuse weakness, aches and cramps in proximal muscle groups, 1/3 also have pain. Hands and distal muscles are spared. rash in dermatomyositis
What is the difference between polymyositis and dermatomyositis?
Dermatomyositis also has skin rashes (linear plaques on dorsum of hand, photosensitive, pigmented), polymyositis doesnt. Polymyositis is inflammation of endomysium, whereas dermatomyositis is inflam of perimysium.
Give 5 features of rheumatoid hands
- progressive symetrical inflammatory polyarthritis
- painful when you squeeze MCPJ
- swelling
- ulnar deviation
- swan neck deformity (PIPJ hyperextended, DIPJ flexed)
- does affect dipj
- MCTP and PIPJ nodules
- > 6 weeks pain and morning stiffness lasting >30 mins
What is the difference between heberdens and bouchards nodes?
heberdens= DIPJ
bouchards= MIPJ
Both swollen, hard, painful, seen in and OA
Give 5 systemic features of RA
- EYES: secondary sjogrens
- SKIN: leg ulcers, rashes, nail fold infarcts
- NODULES: common in eyes and subcut, lung, heart and sometimes vocal cords
- NEURO: nerve entrapment
- RESP: pleural involvement and pulmonary fibrosis
- CVS: pericardial effusion and IHD
How would you investigate RA?
- rheumatoid factor: predicts severity but only +ve in 70%
- Anti CCP= 96% specificity but 30% sensitive
- Xray
- health assesment questionnaire to assess baseline
- ESR, CRP, plasma viscocity
- FBC: normochromic, normocytic anaemia common
- uric acid levels may be needed to exclude polyarticular gout if presentation acute
Describe the pharamcological management of rheumatoid arthritis
1st= methotrexate to be started on day +/- oral corticosteroids for short term relief 2nd= increase methotrex, consider adding luflonomide, sulphasalazine, hydroxycholorquine 3rd= add 3rd DMARD from list above 4th= methotrex + biological (infliximab 1st then rituximab)
describe dosing regimes of methotrexate, infliximab and rituximab
methotrexate= once a week infliximab= 1 drip a month rituximab= 1 drip every 6 months or self infections
Describe non pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis
physio, exercise, analgesia (NSAID +PPI if long term), manage CVS risk factors
What groups of people are at highest risk of SLE?
females, child bearing age, afro - Caribbeans, asians, those with fhx
Describe the features which point to a diagnosis of SLE
Arthritis (RA) Renal abnormalities ANA positive Serositis (pleuritis, pericarditis) Haematological abnormalities (eg haemolytic anaemia) Photosensitivity Oral ulcers Immunological disease (high anti DS DNA, sjogrens, thyoid disease) Neurological (seizures, psychosis) Malar rash Discoid rash (psoriatic)
How is SLE investigated
- FBC- haemolytic anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, ESR, CRP
- autoantibodies: ANA, Anti DS DNA, Anti RO, anti SM
- C3 and C4 lowered in severe disease
- MRI, CT, echo, renal biopsy depending on clinical picture
- TPMT levels is azathioprine is to be used
Describe non pharmacological management of SLE
- stop smoking and reduce other CVS riskfactors
- use lots of suncream
- aerobic exercise can help
- flu vaccine
Describe pharmacological management of SLE
- Hydroxycholorquine is 1st line maintenance for skin lesions, arthralgia, myalgia, malaise
- Azathioprine, methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil used as step up therapies
- cyclophosphamide reserved for life threatening disease- lupus nephritis, vasculitis and cerebral disease
- plasma exchange, high dose methylpred and biologics used for life threatening flares
- low dose methylpred used for mild flares
How does ankylosing spondylitis present
- age 16-30 M>F
- genetic link
- gradual onset lower back pain, worse in night (may wake them up in early hrs)
- morning stiffness, releived by exercise
- may have episodes of flares and remission
- fever, weightloss, fatigue common