Rheumatology Lectures Flashcards
What type of joint does osteoarthritis affect?
Synovial joints.
Where are female patients most likely to get osteoarthritis?
Hips.
Where are obese patients most likely to get osteoarthritis?
Knees
Where are manual labourers most likely to develop osteoarthritis?
Hand.
Where are farmers most likely to develop osteoarthritis?
Hips
Where are footballers most likely to develop osteoarthritis?
Knees
How long does morning stiffness occur in osteoarthritis?
Less than 30 minutes.
When should you not administer intra-articular corticosteroid injections in osteoarthritis?
Prior to joint replacement due to immunosuppression.
How long do prosthetic joint replacements generally last?
10-15 years.
Define subarticular sclerosis.
Bone overgrowth around articular surface.
Define osteophytes.
Calcified bone overgrowth at joint margins.
Define crepitus.
Crunching sensation when moving joint.
Define Bouchard’s nodes.
Proximal interphalangeal joint bone swelling.
Define Heberden’s nodes.
Distal interphalangeal joint bone swelling.
Define joint effusion.
Increased intra-articular fluid.
List 6 bones susceptible to Paget’s disease.
1) skull
2) thoracic spine
3) lumbar spine
4) pelvis
5) femur
6) tibia
Before menopause how much more likely are women to get rheumatoid arthritis than men?
3x.
What small joint is usually sparred in rheumatoid arthritis?
Distal interphalangeal joint.
List 3 joints that are usually first affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
1) metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP)
2) proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)
3) metarsophalangeal joint (MTP)
When can you get a false positive rheumatoid factor?
Hepatitis C.
How do disease modifying antirheumatic drugs work?
Inhibit inflammatory cytokines.
What is the main side effect of DMARDs?
Increased infection risk due to immune system suppression.
How long do DMARDs take to have an effect in rheumatoid arthritis?
6 weeks.
What is the gold standard DMARD for rheumatoid arthritis?
Methotrexate.
List 7 side effects of methotrexate.
1) mouth ulcers
2) nausea
3) diarrhoea
4) neutropenia
5) thrombocytopenia
6) abnormal LFTs
7) renal impairment
What is main disadvantage of biological therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis?
Very expansive.
List 4 types of biological therapy to treat rheumatoid arthritis and an example for each.
1) TNF-α blockers (e.g. IV infliximab)
2) B cell inhibitors (e.g. IV rituximab)
3) T cell activation inhibitors (e.g. abatacept)
4) interleukin blockers (e.g. tocilizumab)
What type of biological agent is used as a first line to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
TNF-α blockers.
List 7 differences of osteoarthritis compared to rheumatoid arthritis.
1) slower onset
2) affects overused joints (e.g. footballers knee)
3) asymmetrical
4) shorter morning stiffness <30 mins
5) pain increases with use
6) no swelling
7) no systemic symptoms
List 7 differences of rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoarthritis.
1) faster onset
2) affects smaller joints first (MCP, PIP, MTP) —> larger joints
3) symmetrical
4) longer morning stiffness >60 mins
5) pain eases with use
6) hot and red swelling
7) systemic symptoms
Define ulnar deviation.
Swelling of metacarpophalangeal joints causes fingers to drift towards little finger. (MCP)
Define Z thumb deformity.
Metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension, proximal interphalangeal joint flexion. (MCP h, PIP f)
Define swan neck deformity.
Proximal interphalangeal joint hyperextension, distal interphalangeal joint flexion. (PIP h, DIP f)
Define Boutonniere’s deformity.
Proximal interphalangeal joint flexion, distal interphalangeal joint hyperextension. (PIP f, DIP h)
What crystals are found in gout?
Monosodium urate.
What percentage of hyperuricaemic patients develop gout?
20%.
Where joint does gout tend to effect?
1st MTP, i.e. big toe.
What environmental factor affects gout?
Temperature (cold).
How many joints does gout tend to effect?
1.
List 5 precipitate of gout.
1) heavy meal
2) heavy drinking
3) cold
4) trauma
5) infection
When is serum uric acid measured in gout and why?
2 weeks after attack, levels fall immediately after an attack.
When is allopurinol prescribed in gout and why?
3 weeks after attack, may trigger another attack.
List 7 common joints affected by gout.
1) big toe MTP
2) ankle
3) foot
4) small hand joints
5) wrist
6) elbow
7) knee
What Latin phrase can sum up gouty joints?
Calor, dolor, rubor, tumour.
What can pseudogout be mistaken for and why?
Septic arthritis, hot joint and fever.
Define chrondrocalcinosis.
Linear calcification parallel to articular surface.
What joints are generally affected in pseudogout? (2)
1) wrist
2) knee
List 4 differences of gout compared to pseudogout.
1) monosodium urate crystals
2) generally affects 1st MTP (big toe)
3) needle shaped crystals
4) negatively birefringent
List 4 differences of pseudogout compared to gout.
1) calcium pyrophosphate crystals
2) generally affects wrist or knee
3) rhomboid shaped crystals
4) positively birefringent
Clinically define osteoporosis.
Bone mineral density more than 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass.
Clinically define osteopenia
Bone mineral density between 1 and 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass.
List the causes of osteoporosis using SHATTERED acronym.
S) steroids H) hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism A) alcohol and smoking T) thin T) testosterone E) early menopause R) renal and liver failure E) erosion of bone D) deficiency of calcium and vitamin D
What is the age of peak bone mass?
25 years old.
What factor has the most affect on peak bone mass?
Genetics.
List 3 factors that affect bone strength.
1) bone mineral density
2) bone size
3) bone quality
Define Colles’ fracture.
Fracture of wrist, after falling on outstretched arms.
When do neck of femur fractures generally occur?
Elderly falling on back or side.
Define kyphosis.
Abnormally concave spine.
Define lordosis.
Inward curve of cervical and lumbar spine. (concave)
Define kyphosis.
Outward curve of thoracic spine. (convex)
Define enthesis.
Site of ligament attachment to bone.
Define enthesitis.
Inflammation of enthesis, site of ligament attachment to bone.