Rheumatology I Flashcards
1. Introduce rheumatology and autoimmunity 2. Knowledge of classification and common features of autoimmune diseases 3. Identify and recognise signs and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and sjogrens syndrome) 4. Knowledge of special investigations used to establish diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and their findings 5. Understand the impact of inflammatory arthritis and management of oral health
What is an autoimmune disease and what can it be initiated by
When the immune system produces antibodies and T cells against the self which can be initiated by
- Defects in immunological tolerance
- Presence of sequestrated antigen
- Infections e.g. viruses
- Drugs e.g. methyl dopa
- Chemicals
What are the common features of autoimmune diseases
- Females
- Positive family history
- Responsive to immunosuppression treatment
- Patients are likely to develop another autoimmune condition
- Raised ESR, CRP and serum protein levels
- Hypergammaglobulinaemia
Why is there raised ESR, CRP and serum proteins in autoimmune condiitons
Electrolyte sedimentary rate = Higher because there is more fibrinogen released which causes RBCs to stick together
C-reactive protein = Higher because it binds to the damaged cells thus aids the complement system by helping phagocytosis
Serum protein = Higher because these are immunoglobulins
List non-organ specific autoimmune conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- SLE
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Systemic sclerosis
- Reynaud disease
- Behcets disease
- Polymyositis
- Dermatomyositis
- Scleroderma
List organ/cell-specific autoimmune conditions
- Pernicious anaemia
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pemphigus vulgaris
- Benign mucus membrane pemphigoid
- Diabetes mellitus (TI)
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Idiopathic Addison’s disease
Describe non-organ specific autoimmune diseases
These are connective tissue conditions which have multi-systemic manifestations unified by the detection of non-specific antibodies in serum/tissues - disease producing processes are caused by hypersensitivity reactions
Give examples of inflammatory arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Give examples of connective tissue disorders
- SLE
- Scleroderma
- Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Give examples of metabolic bone disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Paget’s disease
- Gout and pseudo gout
Give examples of musculoskeletal disorders
- Tennis elbow
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Give examples of degenetory arthritis
Osteoarthritis
What is rheumatoid arthritis and describe its epidemiology
A non-organ specific chronic autoimmune disease characterised by autoantibody RF (Rheumatoid factor = IgM) against IgG
Immune complex formation leads to complement activation, synovial inflammation and destructive joint disease
This is more common in females aged 35-50 which are predisposed due to HLA-DR4 genotype and triggered by viruses and smoking which maintain joint inflammation
What are the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis
Joints involved include: wrists, index and middle finger metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, metatarsophalangeal joints, shoulders, elbow, hip, knees, ankles and upper cervical spine (TMJ in late stage)
Outline the clinical features of acute rheumatoid arthritis
- Insidious gradual onset
- Early morning stiffness of joints
- Afternoon fatigue
- Malaise and loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Low-grade fever
- Symmetrical joint pain, swelling and stiffness
Outline the clinical features of chronic rheumatoid arthritis
Joints are held in flexion to minimise pain: Joint capsular distention and flexion contractures form = fixed deformities
- Ulnar deviation of fingers (distally)
- Swan-neck deformaties (DIP flexion, PIP extension)
- Boutonniere deformities (DIP extension, PIP flexion)
There is stretching of the joint capsule causing instability
Wrist synovitis compressing the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome
What are subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules
These are clinical features of chronic rheumatoid arthritis appearing at sites of pressure and chronic irritation (elbows and knees)
Outline the extra-articular features of rheumatoid arthritis
Pulmonary: Fibrosis, pleurisy, pleural effusion
CDV: Pericarditis, myocarditis, vasculitis, valvulitis
Cervical spine: Atlanto-axial subluxation, chord compression
Lymphatic: Lymphadenopathy
Renal: Secondary amyloidosis
Haematology: Anaemia
Eyes: Scleritis, uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca
What special investigations can be done for rheumatoid arthritis and what are the results found
Serology = RF + (sensitive) Anti-CCP/ACPA + (specific)
Inflammatory markers = Elevated CPR and ESR
X-rays: Soft tissue swelling, narrowing joints, joint erosion, subluxation and deformity, periarticular osteoporosis (porous bones around the joint)
FBC: Normocytic anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytosis
Protein electrophoresis: Hypergammaglobulinaemia