Rheumatology Flashcards
Describe normal synovial fluid, commenting on appearance, viscosity, white cell count and neutrophils
Clear
Normal consistency
WCC less than 200
No neutrophils
Describe osteoarthritic synovial fluid, commenting on appearance, viscosity, white cell count and neutrophils
Clear
Increased viscosity
WCC less than 1000
Less than 50% neutrophils
Describe bloody synovial fluid, commenting on appearance, viscosity, white cell count and neutrophils
Red/dark brown
Varied viscosity
WCC less than 10 000
Neutrophils less than 50%
Describe inflammatory synovial fluid, commenting on appearance, viscosity, white cell count and neutrophils
Yellow/turbid
Reduced viscosity
WCC less than 50 000
Neutrophils vary, should be less than 80%
List the main seropositive inflammatory arthropathies
Rheumatoid SLE Scleroderma Vasculitis Sjogren's syndrome
List the main seronegative inflammatory arthropathies
Ankylosing spondylitis
Reactive arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Enteropathic arthritis
List likely aetiology/risk factors for back pain in 15-30 yo
Prolapsed disc Trauma Fractures Ank spond Spondylolisthesis Pregnancy
List likely aetiology/risk factors for back pain in 30-50 yo
Degenerative spine
Prolapsed disc
Malignancy
List likely aetiology/risk factors for back pain in over 50 yo
Degenerative spine Osteoporosis Paget's disease Malignancy Spinal stenosis
List red flags for back pain
Age less than 20 or over 55 New onset Constant, progressive Worse at night, lying down Systemic upset History of cancer Cauda equina features Neuro dysfunction
What is osteoarthritis?
Wear-and-tear degeneration of bones and joint
List aetiology/risk factors for osteoarthritis
Environment (hobbies, occupation, obesity)
Previous injuries/fractures
Genetics/familial
Secondary to disease (Perthes, DDH, arthropathies, malalignment)
List clinical features of osteoarthritis
Pain on movement/worse at end of day "Background" joint pain Joint stiffness on waking ~ 30 mins Instability Heberden's nodes (DIPJ) Bouchard's nodes (PIPJ) Bony tenderness
List XR findings of osteoarthritis
Loss of joint space
Osteophyte formation
Subchondral sclerosis
Subchondral cysts
Outline management of osteoarthritis
Exercise to improve muscles and instability Weight loss Paracetamol + NSAID Codeine IA steroid temporary relief Joint replacement for pain
List conditions associated with anti CCP antibody
Rheumatoid arthritis
List conditions associated with Rheumatoid factor
Rheumatoid arthritis Sjogren's syndrome Felty's syndrome Mixed CTD SLE
List conditions associated with anti ds DNA antibody
SLE
List conditions associated with anti Sm antibody
SLE
List conditions associated with anti Ro antibody
Sjogren’s syndrome
SLE
Systemic sclerosis
Congenital heart block (placental transfer)
List conditions associated with anti La antibody
Sjogren’s syndrome
SLE
List conditions associated with anti-centromere antibody
Limited systemic sclerosis
List conditions associated with anti Scl 70 antibody
Diffuse systemic sclerosis
List conditions associated with anti RNP antibody
Mixed CTD
SLE
List conditions associated with anti Jo 1 antibody
Polymyositis
List conditions associated with anti Mi2 antibody
Dermatomyositis
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Chronic seropositive inflammatory arthritis caused by antibodies to Fc fragment of IgG and synovial fluid, resulting in a symmetrical deforming polyarthritis
List aetiology/risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis
Women Smoking Age 35-50 yo Genetics, familial Trauma Autoimmune conditions
List clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis
Symmetrical swollen painful joints Usually MCP and PIP / small joints Early morning stiffness Pain/stiffness eases with exercise Tenosynovitis, bursitis Extensor tendon rupture Rheumatoid nodules Boutonniere deformity (PIPJ flexion, DIPJ extension) Swan-neck deformity (PIPJ extension, DIPJ flexion) Ulnar deviation of fingers Z thumb Lymphadenopathy Systemic upset
What investigations would you do for rheumatoid arthritis?
XR may be normal or show peri-articular osteopenia and erosions
Raised CRP ESR PV
Antibodies (RhF, CCP)
Outline management of rheumatoid arthritis
DMARD within 3 months of onset: methotrexate/sulfasalazine/hydroxychloroquine \+ steroid for lag phase and flares NSAID for symptom relief Physiotherapy, OT Biologics if unresponsive to 2 DMARDs
Which biologic is an anti-TNF agent?
Infliximab
Etanercept
Which biologic is an anti-CD20 (B-cell) agent?
Rituximab
Which biologic is an anti- T-cell agent?
Abatacept
Which biologic is an anti- IL-6 agent?
Tociluzimab
Which biologic is an anti- IL-1 agent?
Anakinra
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Chronic seronegative inflammatory arthritis of spine and sacroiliac joints
Which HLA is associated with most seronegative arthropathies?
HLA B27
List clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis
Gradual onset back pain, worse at night Relieved by NSAIDs Morning stiffness, better with exercise Reduced lumbar lordosis Increases thoracic kyphosis Acute uveitis Enthesitis Paraspinal muscle wasting
What investigations would you do for ankylosing spondylitis?
XR shows syndesmophytes, fused bones (bamboo spine)
Schobert’s test
Outline management of ankylosing spondylitis
Physiotherapy/exercise
NSAID for symptoms
Biologics if severe
Local steroid injection
What are the patterns of psoriatic arthritis?
Usually asymmetrical oligoarthritis
Can be symmetrical polyarthritis
What does psoriatic arthritis look like on XR?
Pencil-in-cup deformity