spondyloarthropathies II

Question 1

ankylosing spondylitis: what is affected, what is the hallmark? similar to what?

Answer 1

chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that affects the axial skeleton
bilateral sacroiliitis is the hallmark
often shows impaired spinal motion
shares clinical features with other forms of spondyloarthritis
no disc involvement, but can cause fusion of the vertebrae- bamboo spine

Question 2

what is the epidemiology of ankylosing spondylitis?

Answer 2

familial predisposition and link with HLA B27
male predominance
rare in Af. Americans
onset in late 20s

Question 3

Important cytokines in ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 3

TNF-alpha

Question 4

non joint manifestations of ankylosing spondyltis

Answer 4

acute anterior uveitis, IBD, dactylitis, skin changes, inflammation of the aorta- can incr. risk of aneurysm and aortic regurgitation

Question 5

what are syndesmophytes?

Answer 5

bony growth originating in a ligament that causes stiffness

Question 6

reactive arthritis

Answer 6

sterile joint inflammation that develops after a distant infection. most infections originate in the throat, GI, or GU systems

Question 7

clinical features of reactive arthrits

Answer 7

axial and lower extremity involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis
conjunctivitis,
skin and mucus membrane lesions (keratoderma blenorrhagicum- well demarcated erythema, or circinate balanitis, which is classic for Reiter’s syndrome)W
susceptibility linked to HLA B27
spontaneous recovery common

Question 8

What cytokines are important for reactive arthritis?

Answer 8

IL-4 expression