SERONEGATIVE SPONDYLOARTHROPATHIES

Question 1

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - DEFINITION

Answer 1

• An inflammatory disease that over time can cause some of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse
• This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture

Question 2

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - CAUSE

Answer 2

• No known specific cause
• Genetic factors seem to be involved
• People who have the gene HLA-B27 are at a greatly increased risk of developing AS
• Only some people with the gene develop the condition

Question 3

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - POPULATION AFFECTED

Answer 3

• Males
• Onset occurs in late adolescence to early adults

Question 4

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - RISK FACTORS

Answer 4

• Onset generally occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood
• Most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have theHLA-B27gene
• Many people who have this gene never develop ankylosing spondylitis

Question 5

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Answer 5

• Early signs might include
  
  • Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips
    
    • Especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity
  • Neck pain
  • Fatigue
• Overtime, symptoms might worsen, improve, or stop at irregular intervals
• The areas most commonly affected are
  
  • The joint between the base of the spine and the pelvis
  • The vertebrae in the lower back
  • The places where the tendons and ligaments attack to bones, mainly in the spine, but sometimes along the back of the heel
  • The cartilage between the breast bone and the ribs
  • The hip and shoulder joints

Question 6

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - DEFINITION

Answer 6

• Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis
• Psoriasis is a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales

Question 7

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - CAUSE

Answer 7

• Occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue
• The immune response causes inflammation in your joints as well as overproduction of skin cells

Question 8

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - POPULATION AFFECTED

Answer 8

• Adults aged 30 to 55

Question 9

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - RISK FACTORS

Answer 9

• Psoriasis
• Family hx
• Age - Most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 55

Question 10

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Answer 10

• Both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are chronic diseases that worsen over time
• Patients may have periods when symptoms improve or go away temporarily
• Psoriatic arthritis can affect joints on one or both sides of your body
• Signs and symptoms often resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis
• Both diseases cause jts to become painful, swollen and warm to the touch
• Psoriatic arthritis is more likely to cause
  
  • Swollen fingers and toes
  • Foot pain
    
    • Pain at the points where tendons and ligaments attach to your bones
    • Especially at the back of your heel (Achilles tendinitis) or in the sole of your foot (plantar fasciitis)
  • Lower back pain
    
    • Some people can develop spondylitis
    • Spondylitis mainly causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of your spine and in the jts between your spine and pelvis
  • Nail changes
    
    • Nails can form pits, crumble or separate from the nail beds
  • Eye inflammation
  • Uveitis can cause eye pain, redness and blurry vision
  • If untreated, uveitis can lead to vision loss

Question 11

REITER’S SYNDROME (REACTIVE ARTHRITIS) - DEFINITION

Answer 11

• Reactive arthritis is joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of the body – most often the intestines, genitals or urinary tract

Question 12

REITER’S SYNDROME (REACTIVE ARTHRITIS) - CAUSE

Answer 12

• Develops in reaction to an infection in your body, often in your intestines, genitals or urinary tract
• You might not be aware of the triggering infection if it causes mild symptoms or none at all
• ReA isn’t contagious

Question 13

REITER’S SYNDROME (REACTIVE ARTHRITIS) - POPULATION AFFECTED

Answer 13

• Adults between 20 and 40

Question 14

REITER’S SYNDROME (REACTIVE ARTHRITIS) - RISK FACTORS

Answer 14

• Age - Adults aged between 20 and 40
• Sex - Women more likely to develop ReA in response to STDs
• Hereditary factors

Question 15

REITER’S SYNDROME (REACTIVE ARTHRITIS) - CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Answer 15

• S&S of ReA generally start 1 to 4 weeks after exposure to a triggering infection
• Pain and stiffness
  
  • Joint pain most commonly occurs in the knees, ankles and feet
  • Pain may also occurs in the heels, low back or buttocks
• Eye inflammation
  
  • Conjunctivitis
• Urinary problems
  
  • Increased frequency and discomfort during urination may occur
  • Inflammation of the prostate gland or cervix
• Inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they attach to bone
  
  • Happens most often in the heels and sole of the feet
• Swollen toes or fingers
• Skin problems
  
  • Mouth sores
  • Rash on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands
• Low back pain
  
  • Tends to be worse at night or in the morning