Rheumatology and Orthopaedics (Musculoskeletal System) Flashcards
What are common sites of osteoarthritis?
DIP joint (Heberden nodes), PIP joints (Bouchard nodes), wrist, hip, knee, and spine
What do radiographs show in OA?
Asymmetric narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, bony cysts, and marginal osteophytes
What are the 4 categories for the diagnostic criteria for RA?
- Joint involvement (0-5 points)
- Serology (0-3 points)
- Duration of symptoms (0-1 point)
- Acute phase reactants (0-1 point)
To make a diagnosis of RA, what score must be achieved from the diagnostic criteria?
6 out of 10
Joint involvement (0-5 points)
- 1 medium or large joint (0 point)
- 2-10 medium or large joints (1 point)
- 1-3 small joints (2 points)
- 4-10 small joints (3 points)
- Greater than 10 joints (at least 1 small) (5 points)
Serology (0-3 points)
- RF and ACPA negative (0 point)
- RF or ACPA low positive (2 points)
- RF or ACPA high positive (3 points)
Duration of symptoms (0-1 point)
-6 weeks (1 point)
Acute phase reactants (0-1 point)
- CRP and ESR not elevated (0 point)
- Increased CRP or ESR (1 point)
What some extra-articular manifestations of RA?
Changes in the skin, lungs, kidneys, eyes, liver, blood system, and heart. Osteoporosis is frequently diagnosed
What is seen on radiography in RA patients?
Soft-tissue swelling and juxta-articular demineralization
Pharmacologic treatment for RA
- NSAIDs, which may be used in conjunction with DMARDs
2. DMARDs are begun as soon as the diagnosis is made
What is the frequently prescribed initial DMARD in RA?
Methotrexate
What are some other synthetic DMARDs that can be used in RA?
Corticosteroids, sulfasalazine, antimalarials, and leflunomide
What are some new biologic DMARDs that can be used in RA?
Etanercept, abatacept, rituximab, infliximab, and adalimumab
What is a common combination therapy for RA?
Methotrexate plus a biologic DMARD
What are some forms of juvenile arthritis?
Systemic; pauciarticular, four or fewer joints; and polyarticular, five or more joints
Systemic juvenile arthritis (Still disease; JIA)
- This type is characterized by spiking fevers (102-104) myalgia, polyarthralgias, and a typical salmon-pink maculopapular rash appearing in the evening and with the fever
- There are minimal articular findings, but hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis, pericarditis, or myocarditis may occur
What is Koebner phenomenon?
It is a rash that is elicited by scratching the skin in susceptible areas; commonly found in systemic juvenile arthritis
Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis
- This type is characterized by involvement of four or fewer medium to large joints
- Patients are also at risk for development of asymptomatic uveitis that may lead to blindness if they have a positive ANA test
Polyarticular juvenile arthritis
- This type resembles adult RA with its systemic involvement and involves five or more of the small and large joints
- Systemic symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, rheumatoid nodules, and anemia
Treatment of juvenile arthritis
- NSAIDs and PT and OT are most beneficial. Methotrexate or leflunomide may be used as second-line agents, early on, if there is no improvement with NSAIDs
- 75-80% of patients remit
What is the most common pathogen in joint infections?
Staphylococcus aureus
Treatment of septic arthritis
- IV abx for 2 weeks. Ceftriaxone is recommended for empiric treatment; adjustment is made post culture and sensitivity
- Arthrotomy and arthrocentesis often are required
- Oral abx should follow the IV abx for up to an additional 4 weeks
Psoriatic arthritis general characteristics
This is an inflammatory arthritis with skin involvement usually preceding joint disease by months to years
Clinical features of psoriatic arthritis
- The course is usually mild and intermittent, affecting a few joints
- Symmetric arthritis resembles RA and may involve the hands and feet. Pitting of the nails and onycholysis are seen
- Sausage-finger appearance is a common feature
Psoriatic arthritis diagnostic studies
- ESR is elevated; normocytic normochromic anemia is seen
- Hyperuricemia may occur when skin involvement is severe
- RF is normal
- “Pencil in cup” deformities of the proximal phalanx re demonstrated on radiography
Psoriatic arthritis treatment
- NSAIDs are sufficient for mild cases
- Methotrexate is beneficial. Biologic DMARDs, TNF inhibitors are recommended for severe cases. Corticosteroids and antimalarials should be avoided
When is reconstructive surgery indicated in psoriatic arthritis?
For painful end-stage arthropathy
Reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome) general characteristics
- It is a seronegative arthritis that presents with a tetrad of urethritis, conjunctivitis, oligoarthritis, and mucosal ulcers
- It is often seen as a sequelae to STIs or gastroenteritis
What are the clinical features of reactive arthritis?
Patients may have asymmetric arthritis that involves large joints below the waist; mucocutaneous lesions (balanitis, stomatitis), urethritis, and conjunctivitis
Reactive arthritis diagnostic studies
- 50-80% of patients are HLA-B27 positive
- Synovial fluid is usually culture negative
- Evidence of permanent and progressive joint disease may be present on radiography
Reactive arthritis treatment
- Physical therapy and NSAIDs are the mainstay of treatment
- Antibiotics given at the time of infection will reduce the chance of developing the disorder but do not alleviate the symptoms of the reactive arthritis.
Gout diagnostic studies
- Joint fluid analysis is diagnostic if rod-shaped, negatively birefringent urate crystals are seen. The diagnosis of gout also may be inferred by clinical examination
- Serum uric acid level of greater than 8 mg/dL is suspcious, but not diagnostic
What does imaging show in gout?
Characteristic erosions (small, punched out lesions and interosseous tophi) on plain radiographs make the diagnosis of gout highly suspect
Patient education with gout
Elevation and rest may alleviate the symptoms. Dietary modifications stressing decreased ingestions of purines and alcohol can reduce elevated urate levels
Gout pharmacotherapy
- NSAIDs are generally the initial drug of choice (i.e., indomethacin, 25-50mg PO TID until symptoms resolve)
- Colchicine is also very effective. Use is limited due the pervasive GI side effects
- Corticosteroid injections are recommended for accessible joints; oral prednisone (or ACTH) may be used if other medicines are not tolerated and septic arthritis have been ruled out
Management between acute attacks of gout can be achieved with what medications?
Colchicine, probenecid, sulfapyrazine, allopurinol, or febuxostat. Allopurinol should be started during an acute attack although should not be discontinued in a patient already on maintenance
What are the most commonly affected joints in pseudogout?
Knee, wrist, and elbow
What does joint aspiration show in pseudogout?
Rhomboid-shaped calcium pyrophosphate crystals that are positively birefringent
What do radiographs show in pseudogout?
Fine, linear calcifications in cartilage (chondrocalcinosis)
Treatment of pseudogout
NSAIDs, colchicine, and intra-articular steroid injections
Diagnosis of SLE requires at least how many of the criteria to be met?
At least four, including a significantly high-titer ANA
Diagnostic criteria for SLE
- Malar rash
- Discoid rash
- Photosensitivity
- Oral ulcers
- Arthritis
- Serositis (heart, lungs, or peritoneal)
- Renal disease (proteinuria, cellular casts)
- ANA
- Hematologic disorders (hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia)
- Immunologic disorders (LE cell, anti-DNA, anti-Sm, false-positive serologic test for syphilis)
- Neurologic disorders (seizures or psychosis in absence of any other cause)
Drugs that may cause a lupus-like syndrome
Procainamide, hydralazine, isoniazid, methyldopa, quinidine, and chlorpromazine
What can be used as markers for progression of SLE?
Antibodies to Smith antigen, double-stranded DNA, or depressed levels of serum complement (C3 or C4)
Antimalarias (hydroxychloroquine or quinacrine) may be used in SLE for what?
Musculoskeletal complaints and cutaneous manifestations
Corticosteroids in SLE
- Topical or intralesional preparations are often used for cutaneous manifestations
- Low- or high-dose oral corticosteroids are used for disease flares and tapered as symptoms resolve
Methotrexate in SLE is used in low doses for what?
Arthritis, rashes, serositis, and constitutional symptoms
What is polymyositis?
It is an inflammatory disease of striated muscle affecting the proximal limbs, neck, and pharynx. The skin can also be affected (dermatomyositis)
What is the cause of polymyositis?
It is unknown, but there is a strong association with an occult malignancy
Polymyositis clinical features
Insidious, painless, proximal muscle weakness; dysphagia; skin rash (malaria or heliotrope); polyarthralgias; and muscle atrophy
Polymyositis diagnostic studies
- The muscle enzymes creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and aldolase will be elevated
- Muscle biopsy should be performed and will show myopathic inflammatory changes
Polymyositis treatment
High-dose steroids, methotrexate, or azathioprine until symptoms resolve
Polymyalgia rheumatica is characterized by what?
Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdles and is accompanied by constitutional symptoms (e.g., fever, fatigue, weight loss, depression)
Polymyalgia rheumatica cause
The cause is unknown. It is associated with giant cell (temporal) arteritis in up to 30% of the cases
Polymyalgia rheumatica diagnostic studies
ESR is markedly elevated (>50 mm/hr). Temporal arteritis is confirmed by biopsy (minimum length 2.5 cm)
Polymyalgia rheumatica treatment
Patients respond quickly to low-dose corticosteroid therapy, which may be require for up to 2 years and slowly tapered. Higher doses are required if giant cell arteritis is present; treatment should not be delayed while awaiting biopsy
What is polyarteritis nodosa?
Small and medium artery inflammation involving the skin, kidney, peripheral nerves, muscle, and gut
What is the cause of polyarteritis nodosa?
It is unknown, but association with hepatitis B is seen in up to 30% of patients
What type of skin lesions may be in polyarteritis nodosa?
Palpable purpura and livedo reticularis
Polyarteritis nodosa diagnostic studies
- The diagnosis is usually established by vessel biopsy or angiography
- Elevated ESR and CRP and proteinuria may be present as well as a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
- Presence of ANCA is suggestive but not diagnostic of polyarteritis nodosa
Treatment of polyarteritis nodosa
- Initial management is with high doses of corticosteroids
- Cytotoxic drugs and immunotherapy also may be used. Concomitant treatment of hepatitis B may be required
- Hypertension should be treated if present
What is the cause of scleroderma?
Unknown
Scleroderma characteristics
- Characterized by deposition of collagen in the skin and, less commonly, in the kidney, heart, lungs, and stomach
- The peak age of onset is between 30-50 years
What are the two types of scleroderma?
Diffuse and limited
Diffuse scleroderma
Affects the skin as well as the heart, lungs, GI tract, and kidneys
Limited scleroderma
Affects the skin of the face, neck, and distal elbows and knees and late in the disease causes isolated pulmonary HTN
CREST syndrome
- Calcinosis cutis
- Raynaud phenomenon
- Esophageal dysfunction
- Sclerodactyly
- Telangiectasias
- Associated with limited scleroderma
Scleroderma diagnostic studies
- ANA is present in 90% of patients with diffuse scleroderma
- Anticentromere antibody is associated with CREST syndrome and anti-SCL-70 antibody is associated with diffuse disease and portends a poor prognosis
- Patients should be monitored for development of HTN, heralding kidney involvement
Scleroderma treatment
- There is no cure
- Treatment is aimed at organ-specific disease processes (PPIs, ACEI, avoidance of triggers and CCB for Raynaud, and immunosuppressive drugs for pulmonary HTN)
Sjögren’s syndrome general characteristics
- It is an autoimmune disorder that destroys the salivary and lacrimal glands (exocrine glands)
- It may also be a secondary complication to a preexisting connective tissue disorder such as RA, SLE, polymyositis or scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome diagnostic studies
- RF is present in 70% of the cases, ANA in 60%, anti-Ro antibodies in 60%, and anti-La antibodies in 40% of cases
- A Schirmer test evaluates tear secretions by the lacrimal glands. Wetting of less than 5 mm of filter paper placed in the lower eyelid for 5 minutes is positive for decreased secretions
- Biopsy of the lower lip mucosa confirms lymphocytic infiltrate and gland fibrosis
Sjögren’s syndrome treatment
- Management is mainly symptomatic
- Pilocarpine may increase saliva flow
- Cyclosporine may improve ocular symptoms
Fibromyalgia is characterized by what?
Pain above and below the waist that is bilateral and axial for a duration of at least 3 months
What is the only drug that is FDA-approved specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia?
Pregabalin (Lyrica). Studies report reduced pain and improved sleep. Side effects, however, include fatigue, trouble concentrating, sleepiness, and edema
What is tendonitis?
Refers to inflammation of the tendon
What is tenosynovitis?
Inflammation of the enclosed tendon sheath
What are the common sites where tendonitis and tenosynovitis appears?
Rotator cuff, supraspinatus, biceps, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, flexor digitorum, patella, hip adductor, and Achilles