Spondyloarthropathies Flashcards
What HLA group is associated with spondyloarthropathies
HLA B27
Therefore genetically predisposed
What conditions is HLA B27 associated with
Ankylosing spondylitis
Reactive arthritis
Crohn’s disease
Uveitis
Why is HLA screening not always useful
Can be present without causing disease
Only screen if patient has symptoms
Describe mechanical back pain
Worsened by activity
Worse at end of the day
Better with rest
More common
Describe inflammatory back pain
Worse with rest
Better on activity
Significant morning stiffness (>1 hour)
List some features of inflammatory arthritis
Oligoarticular - affects a few joints, typically larger ones like knees, hips etc.
Asymmetric
However psoriatic can be symmetric and in small joints
Predominantly lower limb
Dactylitis - sausage fingers
List some shared rheumatological features of spondyloarthropathies
Involvement of the sacroiliac joints and spine Enthesitis - where tendons attach Tenosynovitis and synovitis Inflammatory arthritis Dactylitis - sausage fingers
List some shared extra-articular features of spondyloarthropathies
Ocular inflammation - e.g. uveitis/iritis
Mucocutaneous lesions - mouth, genitals
Rarely aortic incompetence or heart block
IBS history
What is the hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis
Involvement of the sacro-iliac joint as well as the spine
When should you consider ankylosing spondylitis as a cause of back pain
In patients where pain has lasted more than 3 months
Age of onset less than 45 (typically between 20-40)
What criteria must be met in order to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis
Sacroiliitis on imaging and more than one clinical feature of SpA
OR
HLA-B27 positive and more than 2 clinical features
What are the main clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis
Back pain Enthesitis Peripheral arthritis - rare Uveitis CV or pulmonary involvement Mucosal inflammation Amyloidosis Neurological symptoms
What forms in the spine in ankylosing spondylitis
Syndesmophytes
Fusion of the vertebrae that leads to decreased movement
What is the Schober test
Measure 10cm from dimples of iliac crest and 5cm below
Ask patient to bend over and touch toes
Distance should increase
What is the limitation of the Schober test
Can be limited by pain
Even if back does move its too sore to complete
What is used to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis
History
Exam - occipital to wall, Schober test and chest expansion - reduced
Bloods - HLA B27 and inflammatory markers
X-ray
MRI
How is chest expansion affected in ankylosing spondylitis
May be reduced
Due to fusion of costochondral joints
How might ankylosing spondylitis present on X ray
May be normal in early disease
Bone density reduced (late disease only)
Shiny corners or fuzzy margins- start of fusion
Syndesmophytes
Fusion - bamboo spine due to bridging of sydesmophytes
How can you treat ankylosing spondylitis
Spinal disease: Physio and occupational therapy
NSAIDs
Anti-TNF - e.g. infliximab
Or IL-17 blockers
Peripheral disease
DMARDs - e.g. MTX
IM or IA steroids
Short course of oral steroids
What is psoriatic arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis usually associated with psoriasis