Rheumatology Diagnostics Flashcards
What basic tests are performed in patients in rheumatology?
FBC U&E Liver function tests Bone profile Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) C-reactive protein (CRP)
In inflammatory arthritis, what type of anaemia is present?
Normocytic anaemia
What is the mean cell volume in patients with inflammatory arthritis?
Normal
What is the WCC in patients with inflammatory arthritis?
Normal
What is the platelet count in patients with inflammatory arthritis?
Normal or increased
In osteoarthritis, what blood abnormalities exist?
Nil
In septic arthritis, what can be said regarding WCC?
Increased due to leukocytosis
In septic arthritis, what can be said regarding platelet count?
Normal or increased
A high creatinine count in patients with rheumatoid disorder can suggest what?
Impaired renal clearance, and suggestive of renal failure.
Which rheumatological disorder is strongly concerned with renal failure?
SLE can manifest as lupus nephritis
How does vasculitis affect the kidneys?
Can cause nephritis
What type of protein is elevated and deposited within the kidney due to chronic inflammation?
Serum amyloid (A) SAA protein
This causes AA amyloidosis
Which four main parameters are examined under a liver function test?
Bilirubin
Alkaline aminotransferase
Alkaline phosphatase
Albumin
What effect doe DMARDs have on the kidneys, and provide an example?
DMARDs can cause liver damage
Methotrexate
How often are LFTs conducted in patients on methotrexate?
LFTs and blood tests are conducted every 8 weeks.
What type of plasma protein is albumin (concerning inflammation)?
Negative acute phase protein
What three main parameters are examined in a bone profile?
Calcium
Phosphate
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) - produced by bone or liver
Which enzyme is elevated in Paget’s disease?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), since there is an abnormally high bone turnover
Which is ALP elevated in Paget’s disease?
Due to an abnormally high bone turnover
What are the clinical features associated with Paget’s disease?
Bone pain
Excessive pain growth
Fracture through area of pathological bone
What can cause an elevated ESR (4)?
Elevated immunoglobulin level
Paraprotein (myeloma)
Anemia
Tends to rise with age
Which marker is specific for inflammation?
C-reative protein
In SLE, what happens to CRP?
CRP is normal
Which factor is elevated in SLE?
ESR
Under what circumstance is ESR and CRP elevated in patients with SLE?
Synovitis (Infection)
Inflammatory pleural or pericardial effusion
Which type of autoantibodies are typical for patients with SLE?
Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)