Rheumatology Highlights

Question 1

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Answer 1

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 2

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Inflammation  increased proteins in plasma (increased viscosity)  RBCs stack up and settle faster (heavier) = increased ESR
RBC rouleaux (singular: rouleau) = stacks of RBCs

Answer 3

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Highly sensitive positive acute phase reactant

Question 4

Acute phase response” accompanies acute and chronic inflammatory states:

Question 5

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Answer 5

sli

Question 6

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Question 7

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Answer 7

RF and Anti-CCP antibodies positive in 70-80% with established disease

Question 8

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Answer 8

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, RFs react to abnormal synovial IgGs

Question 9

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Answer 9

Most commonly measured Rheumatoid Factors (RFs) is IgM RF

Question 10

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Answer 10

Found in other chronic inflammatory diseases (SLE, Sjögren’s, etc.) and chronic infections (Hep. B/C, syphilis, TB, etc.) and may be falsely positive in the elderly

Question 11

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Answer 11

Negative RF value does not exclude RA

Question 12

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Process increases during ______________
Sometimes citrullination alters peptide shape enough that the body thinks it is an ____________

Answer 12

Process increases during inflammation
Sometimes citrullination alters peptide shape enough that the body thinks it is an antigen

Question 13

The most specific blood test for RA (specificity ~95%):
positive test helps rule in RA

Answer 13

Anti-CCP Antibodies

Question 14

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 14

chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause

Immunologic abnormalities, especially the production of antinuclear antibodies (ANΑ), are a prominent feature

Question 15

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Question 16

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Question 17

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Question 18

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Answer 18

Especially important for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE