Vasculitis Flashcards
What is polymyalgia rheumatic
Common chronic inflammatory condition of unknown cause that affects mainly elderly individuals
Polymyalgia rheumatica mainly affects which age group
those over 50
Polymyagia rheumatic is associated with which condition
Giant cell arteritis
-40% with GCA develop PR
-15% PR develop GCA
Risk factors for polymyalgia rheumatica
Over 50
Northern European descent
Which joints are commonly affected by polymyalgia rheumatica
Shoulder
Hips
Symptoms of polymyagia rheumatica
Symmetrical myalgia of hip and shoulder girdle
Stiffness > 45m
Pain worse with movement
Low fever
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Malaise
What can relief the pain caused by polymyalgia rheumatica
Oral steroids
Clinical signs of polymyalgia rheumatic
Limited joint movement due to pain
Normal muscle strength
Tenderness
Dermatomyositis also causes myalgia. What are the differences between polymyalgia rheumatica and dermatomyositis
PR does not cause muscle weakness whereas dermatomyositis does
PR causes pain whereas dermatomyositis doesn’t really cause pain
investigations for polymyagia rheumatica
Clinical
Bloods - ESR and CRP (raised)
therapeutic trial of steroids
Management of polymyalgia rheumatica
investigations before starting steroids
Oral steroid therapy- prednisolone
Describe the steroid therapy for polymyalgia rheumatica
Does not need to be started right away - do check ups before starting
Start prednisolone at 15
Gradually decrease the dose
Symptoms should resolve
What investigations need to be done before starting steroids
Screen for
- diabetes
- peptic ulcers
- osteoporosis (DEXA scan)
- mental health history
- hypertension
2 types of large vessel vasculitis
Takayasu’s arteritis
Giant cell arteritis
Which vessels are affected by Takayasu’s arteritis
Aorta
Main branches of the aorta
Risk factors for takayasu’s arteritis
Female
<40 years old
Asian
What can vascular inflammation lead to
stenosis
occlusion
aneurysm
Symptoms of takayasu’s arteritis
Systemic upset - mild fever / malaise / weight loss
Arthralgia
Night sweats
Claudication in upper and lower limbs
Skin nodules
Clinical signs of takayasu’s arteritis
Absent upper extremity pulse
Difference in blood pressure between the extremities
Bruit
Aortic regurgitaiton
What is bruit
audible vascular sound associated with turbulent blood flow
What causes bruit in takayasu’s arteritis
vascular stenosis / aneurysms
Investigations for takayasu’s arteritis
Bloods - inflammatory markers raised
MR Angiogram
Management for takayasu’s arteritis
Steroids
Which arteries are most commonly affected by giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
Temporal arteries - arteries around the temples
Risk factors for GCA
> 50 years, most commonly late 60+
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Symptoms of GCA
temporal headache
Jaw claudication - pain on chewing food
Amaurosis fugax
Visual disturbances
Thickened temporal artery
Scalp tenderness
polymyagia rheumatica symptoms
What is amaurosis fugax
transient loss of vision in one or both eyes
“dark curtain descending”
Clinical signs of GCA
Non-pulsatile, thickened temporal arteries
Complications of GCA
Permanent blindness
Stroke
Investigations for GCA
Bloods - ESR
Temporal artery US
Temporal artery biopsy
CT angiogram / MR angiogram if still unsure
When should you suspect GCA in a patient
Patient over 50 years old, new onset of headache with raised inflammatory markers