Treatment for all diseases Flashcards
How is osteoarthritis treated?
1st line:
- Topical analgesics, (NSAID’s such as diclofenac)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Exercise (increases joint lubrication, therefore decreasing pain).
2nd line:
- Paracetamol + all above.
If pain persists despite multiple treatment modalities, or patient has severe disability:
- Surgery
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?
1st line:
- DMARD such as methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine (unless pregnant or planning pregnancy).
- Corticosteroid such as prednisolone. Usually administered via interarticular injection.
- NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen.
IF SEVERE:
- Consider biological agent such as infliximab (TNF-a inhibitor).
What treatment is given for osteoporosis?
1st line:
- Calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
- Biphosphonates (such as alendronic acid).
2nd line:
- Denosumab. This is a RANK ligand inhibitor.
- Oestrogen can be given to women whose oestrogen is low.
What is the treatment for osteomalacia?
1st line:
- Calciferol (source of vitamin D)
AND
- Calcium carbonate/calcium citrate (source of calcium).
What is the treatment for a patient with SLE?
- Avoid sunlight and smoking
- Give hydroxychloroquine (1st line)
- Give NSAIDs and corticosteroids to treat the arthralgia.
- If symptoms severe, prescribe immumnosuppresives (e.g. rituximab).
How is gout treated?
For an acute attack:
- NSAIDs, Corticosteroids
- Colchicine (if NSAIDs are not tolerated).
For recurring gout:
- Long term treatment with allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor).
What is the treatment for pseudogout?
If joint accessible to injection:
- Steroid injection + paracetamol
If joint inaccessible to injection:
- NSAIDs + paracetamol
For polyarticular pseudogout:
- NSAIDs (1st line)
- Systemic steroids (2nd line)
What is the treatment given for ankylosing spondylitis?
1st line:
- Physiotherapy
- NSAIDS (naproxen)
If 2 NSAIDS fail to control pain/stiffness, 2nd line:
- TNF-a inhibitor (infliximab).
What is the treatment for psoriatic arthritis?
If disease is limited:
- NSAIDS (naproxen)
- Physiotherapy
- Corticosteroid injections
If disease is progressive:
- SAME AS ABOVE
- PLUS DMARD (e.g. methotrexate).
What is the treatment for reactive arthritis?
For symptomatic relief:
- NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen)
- Corticosteroid injections (e.g. prednisolone)
For persistent or recurrent reactive arthritis:
- DMARD (sulfasalazine).
- ANTIBIOTICS NOT INDICATED UNLESS THERE IS AN ACTIVE GU OR GI INFECTION STILL.
What is the treatment for septic arthritis?
If there is systemic involvement:
- Follow local sepsis guidance (e.g. SEPSIS-6).
If there is no systemic involvement:
- Pathogen targeted antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin) + joint aspiration (to remove infectious fluids.) IMMEDIATELY AFTER JOINT ASPIRATION FOR CULTURE HAS BEEN OBTAINED.
If the joint is prosthetic, consider surgery.
Consider analgesia (NSAIDS/paracetamol) to manage the pain.
What is the treatment for osteomyelitis?
- Antibiotic therapy (flucloxacillin 1st line)
- Consider surgery if bone continues to deteriorate.
What is the treatment for unstable angina?
What is the treatment for stable angina?
UNSTABLE ANGINA
1st line: DEFINITELY - Aspirin (Anti-platelet) - P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel) CONSIDER - GTN (Nitrate) - Morphine (opiate analgesic) - Anti-emetic (metoclopramide) - CABG
STABLE ANGINA
1st line: DEFINITELY - Beta Blocker (Bisoprolol, Verapamil) - GTN (Nitrate) - Continue dual anti-platelet therapy (Aspirin + clopidogrel) - Discuss lifestyle changes (healthy diet, lowering alcohol intake, stop smoking etc.) CONSIDER - ACEI (ramapril) - Statins (lower cholesterol)
What is the treatment for a myocardial infarction?
STEMI and NSTEMI
1st Line:
- Aspirin
- PCI (Percutaneous coronary intervention) within 120 mins.
- NOTE: IF A PATIENT IS GOING TO HAVE PCI, DO NOT START HEPARIN (ANTICOAGULATION) AS THIS WILL BE STARTED BY THE SURGICAL TEAM IN THEATRE. DO START DUAL ANTIPLATELET THERAPY (ASPIRIN + PRASUGREL).
- Opioid analgesia IV (Morphine)
- Metoclopramide (anti-emetic)
FOLLOWING THE MI:
- Continue dual antiplatelet therapy (Aspirin + Prasugrel/clopidogrel)
- Start/continue B-blocker (Bisoprolol). If patient contra-indicated, start CCB (Amlodipine).
- ACEI (ramipril)
- Statin (atorvastatin)
- Lifestyle changes (cardiac rehab).
What is the treatment for chronic heart failure?
1st line:
- Ramapril (ACEI)
- Lifestyle changes (Lower sodium intake, reasonable fluid intake, exercise).
- Bisoprolol (B-blocker).
- IF FLUID RETENTION OCCURING furosemide (loop diuretic).
What is the treatment for the different types of acute heart failure and how does it work?
CARDIOGENIC SHOCK (<90mmHg systolic, hypotensive):
1st line:
- Treat underlying cause (Infection, tamponade, PE, MI etc.)
- Give O2 if needed hypoxic
- Refer to specialist
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS: 1st line: - Treat underlying cause (MI, angina, tachycardia etc.) - Loop diuretic (furosemide) - GTN for vasodilation. - Refer to specialist
HAEMODYNAMICALLY STABLE:
1st line:
- Treat underlying cause
- Refer to specialist
What are the treatments for dilated cardiomyopathy?
- Bed rest (reduce demand on heart).
- Loop (Furosemide) and thiazide diuretics (loop diuretics are more potent than thiazide diuretics). These are used to reduce treat any oedema and lower blood pressure, to reduce strain on the heart.
- ACEI (ramapril). Used to lower blood pressure.
- Beta blockers (bisoprolol). Block the effects of epinephrine, otherwise known as adrenaline. This reduces blood pressure.
- Potentially an ICD can be implanted surgically. (Used to manage arrhythmia, by sending an electrical impulse if heart rhythm becomes abnormal.)
What are the common treatments for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
1st line:
- B-blocker (atenolol/bisoprolol - inhibits action of epinephrine)
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine. (allow cardiomyocytes to relax, due to suppression of calcium influx.) ONLY USE IF B BLOCKER NOT EFFECTIVE/TOLERATED.
- Prevention of sudden death. An implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be inserted to control any arrhythmias that occur. Or amiodarone as a pharmacological cardioverter.
- Severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Treated with septal myectomy. Involves removal of excess septal myocardium to restore heart volume.
What treatment is given to patients with arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy?
STANDARD HEART FAILURE MEDICATIONS:
- Beta blockers (bisoprolol), even for asymptomatic patients.
- ICD for high risk patients.
- Heart transplant given to patients with refractory disease (heart not responding to the standard treatments).
What are the treatment options for hypertension?
- Offer lifestyle advice.
Drug therapy
If the patient has any of the following:
- type 2 diabetes
- is under 55 BUT NOT BLACK/AFRO-CARRIBEAN.
- 1st line is ACEi (ramipril)
- If not tolerated (e.g. due to cough) give an ARB (e.g. olmesartan).
- 2nd line is add in a CCB (a.g. amlodipine) OR a thiazide-like diuretic (a.g. metolazone).
If the patient is any of the following:
- Aged over 55 and no type 2 diabetes
- Black/Afro-carribbean any age with no type 2 diabetes
- 1st line is CCB (e.g. amlodipine).
- If not tolerated (e.g. due to oedema) offer a thiazide-like diuretic (e.g. metolazone).
- 2nd line is add ACEI (ramipril) or ARB (olmesartan) or thiazide-like diuretic (metolazone).
IF THERE IS AN UNDERLYING CAUSE AIM TO TREAT THIS.
What are the treatment options for atrial fibrillation?
Control the arrhythmia. 2 components:
Rate control
- B-blockers such as bisoprolol (1st line).
- CCB such as verapamil (1st line.
- Both if needed (2nd line).
Rhythm control
- Cardioversion (can be done with electrical pads or antiarrhythmatic drugs such as adenosine).
- Thromboprophylaxis to prevent strokes (anticoagulants, warfarin, aspirin).
If there is an underlying cause, aim to treat this.
What treatments are offered for the different types of heart block?
1st degree:
- None needed
2nd degree (mobitz I AND II):
- Monitor
- Atropine (if presenting acutely).
- Potentially needs a pacemaker.
3rd degree:
- If issue is with His bundle, atropine (1st line) or pacemaker (2nd line).
- If issue is Purkinje fibres, permanent pacemaker.
What are the treatment options for SVT?
If haemodynamically unstable:
- Cardioversion. Should try synchronised cardioversion (electrical pads) before trying anti-arrhymthic, drug based cardioversion.
If haemodynamically stable:
- Antiarrhythmatic drugs (1st line) such as adenosine.
What is the treatment for BBB?
- Treat underlying cause (if possible)
- Treat symptoms (Blood pressure, cardiac failure etc.)
- Potentially pacemaker.
What are the treatment options for aortic aneurysm?
- Surgical repair (immediate if ruptured).
- If unruptured, consider insertion of supportive stent.
How is aortic dissection treated?
- Surgical repair (either open or stentgraft).
What is the treatment for peripheral vascular disease?
- Antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidogrel)
- Lifestyle modification
To manage claudication:
- consider use of cilostazol (another antiplatelet).
In the event of acute limb ischaemia:
- Urgent revascularisation if possible, or urgent amputation.
What is the treatment for pericarditis?
1st line:
- NSAIDS (aspirin)
- PPI (omeprazole) to protect the gastric mucosa from high doses of NSAIDs.
Colchicine (unless TB is suspected cause).
TREAT UNDERLYING CAUSE
What is the treatment for septic hypovolaemic shock?
Don’t wait for investigations to confirm diagnosis:
- ABC’s
- Broad spectrum antibiotics.
- IV fluids.
- Vasopressors (such as vasopressin) to increase BP.
What is the treatment for type 1 DM?
1st line:
- Basal-bolus insulin
- Pre-meal insulin IF NEEDED
- Metformin (a biguanide) IF NEEDED.
What is the treatment for type 2 DM?
- First line: Diet and exercise changes.
- If no change, prescribe metformin (biguanide).
- Add SGLT2 inhibitor if CV risk is high (canagliflozin)
- Potentially use sulfonylurea (glimepiride) if metformin not tolerated.
- Give aspirin (non-selective COX inhibitor) or clopidogrel (P2Y12 antagonist) to reduce risk of CVD. Both aspirin and clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs.
What are the potential treatments for Grave’s disease?
- Antithyroid drugs (carbimazole usually, else propylthiouracil). These will be taken in one of two ways:
- Block and replace. Prolonged treatment using the drug, along with levothyroxine to replace the lost thyroid hormone.
- Titration. Gradual reduction in the dose of anti-thyroid, until the naturally produced thyoid hormones are at the right level again.
- Also give a B blocker (atenolol or propanolol) to treat symptoms such as tachycardia, tremor and anxiety. If contraindicated give CCB (verapamil).
- Thyoidectomy (partial or complete)
- Radioactive iodine. Taken up by thyroid, and will subsequently kill some of the thyroid, reducing hormone production.
What treatments are available for Hashimoto’s disease?
- Thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine).
- Resection of obstructive goitre to relieve symptoms (dyspnoea and dysphagia.)
What treatments are given for primary and secondary hypothyroidism?
Primary - Thyroid hormone replacement therapy (Levothyroxine), and potential resection of the obstructive goitre.
Secondary - Still give thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine) but also treat the underlying cause.
Transient - Will often resolve on its own. If due to treatment withdrawal, consider restarting treatment/ re-establishing a higher dose.
What are the treatment options for thyroid cancer?
- Total thyroidectomy
- Radioactive iodine administration.
- External radiotherapy. (Palliative care to reduce symptoms).
- Prophylactic central lymph node dissection (a preventative measure to reduce chance of cancer spreading).
How is Cushing’s syndrome treated?
- For tumours, surgical removal. This is first line for all types of Cushing syndrome where it is possible.
- Otherwise, cortisol synthesis inhibition. (Drugs include metyrapone and ketoconazole).
What are the treatment options for acromegaly?
- Transsphenoidal resection surgery (removal of pituitary tumour). IF POSSIBLE THIS IS 1ST LINE.
- IF SURGERY NOT POSSIBLE SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGUES ARE FIRST LINE (Again, somatostatin inhibits GH production). 2 examples of SSA are Octreotide and Ianreotide.
- Dopamine agonists (Bind to D2 receptors and restrict GH secretion). Often given as dual therapy with SSAs. Usually bromocriptine
2nd line:
- GH receptor antagonists (Due to -ve feedback loops, suppress GH secretion) For example, pegvisomant.
What are the treatment options for Conn’s syndrome?
For an adenoma:
- Surgical removal
For adrenal hyperplasia:
- Aldosterone antagonist (usually spironolactone).
What is the treatment for Addison’s disease?
- Hormone replacement (hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone).
What is an adrenal crisis and how is it treated?
- Acute medical emergency caused by a lack of cortisol.
- IV hydrocortisone immediately if suspected.
- Saline for hypotension/ dehydration if required. If glucose is low, 5% dextrose.
- Treat underlying cause if possible.
What is the treatment for secondary adrenal insufficiency?
- Hormone replacement (just hydrocortisone, as aldosterone has not been affected).
- Try to taper off the hydrocortisone if condition improves.
What is the treatment for hyperkalaemia?
- Restriction of dietary potassium.
- Loop diuretics.
What is the treatment for hypokalaemia?
Treat underlying cause
- Withdrawal of harmful medication.
- Increase dietary potassium/ give a potassium supplement if required.
- Check magnesium levels, as these are closely related.
What treatment is given to patients with syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion?
1st line:
- Reduce fluid intake.
- Treat underlying cause.
2nd line or if disease is more severe:
- Tolvaptan (ADH receptor antagonist).
What is the treatment of DI?
Central DI:
- Desmopressin
Nephrogenic DI:
- Treat underlying cause (often renal disease)
- Maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
- Can use hydrochlorothiazide or sodium restriction in diet to reduce urine output.
What is the treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism?
MANAGEMENT OF HYPERCALCAEMIA
- Surgical removal of adenoma.
- If surgery unsuccessful or rejected, give cinacalcet (a calcimimetic, that will decrease PTH levels).
- If osteoporosis is present, consider bisphosphonates (alendronic acid).
What is the treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism?
- Vit D and calcium supplementation always (calcium needed as the PTH secretion is driven by hypocalcaemia).
- If malabsorption related, treat the GI cause.
- If CKD related, treat the CKD.
What is the treatment for severe secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism?
- Partial or total parathyroidectomy with close calcium monitoring afterwards.
What is the treatment for hypoparathyroidism?
- Calcium
- Calcitrol (biologically active form of vitamin D, so doesn’t require PTH to be activated.)
What is the treatment for COPD?
For stable COPD:
1st line:
- Stop smoking
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- SABA (salbutamol)
2nd line: - Combination therapy. - LAMA (tiotropium) + LABA (salmeterol). OR - LABA (salmeterol) + ICS (ciclesonide).
3rd line:
- Combination therapy.
- LAMA (tiotropium) + LABA (salmeterol) + ICS (ciclesonide).
For severe/unstable COPD:
- Consider long-term oxygen therapy.
- Be careful this doesn’t cause respiratory depression.
What are the treatment options for asthma?
1) SABA (salbutamol) for reliever treatment. 1st line
2) INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS (ciclesonide) for maintinence therapy. 2nd line
3) LEUKOTRINE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (montelukast). 3rd line OR introduce a LABA (salmeterol).
What treatment is given for rhinitis?
1st line:
- Avoidance of allergens (if possible).
- Intranasal corticosteroid (beclometasone or budesonide)
- Anti-histamines.