W19 71 rheumatology and connective tissue disorders Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
Mechanical joint disease
Non-inflammatory arthritis
Wear of the cartilage occurs and new bone is formed at the margins of the joints
What does osteoarthritis affect?
Many joints:
TMJ and cervical spine - pain on movement, restricted movement
Other joints
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Chronic multi systemic disease. Inflammatory arthritis - persistent. Affects synovial lining of joints, bursae and tendons. Characterised by joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Characterisation: polyarticular, symmetrical, hand joints
How do you diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
Blood tests:
- rheumatoid factor RF - antibodies, when positive seropositive
- anti-CCP antibodies (ACPA)
- acute phase reactants (APR)
Radiographic changes - looking for erosions or joint space narrowing
Image of the joints in RA - PG675
Look at image :)
What common joints can be involved in RA?
TMJ
Cervical spine
Atlanto-axial joint
What are some systemic manifestations of RA?
Constitutional - weight loss, fatigue
Organ specific - eye, mouth, skin, lungs, nerves, heart, bone
What are nodules?
Areas of pressure, internal. Result from small vessel vasculitis with fibrin oil necrosis forming the centre of the nodule. Can occur in RA.
What disease can affect the lacrimal and salivary glands secondary to RA and what does this cause?
(Secondary) Sjrogren’s syndrome to RA
Dry eyes, dry mouth, dental caries
Describe inflammatory eye disease from RA
Epicleritis
Scleritis - may progress to scleromalacia
Corneal melt
Drugs can cause toxicity in the eyes: steroids can lead to cataract; chloroquine can lead to retinopathy
How might RA affect the lungs?
Fibrosing alveolitis
Pulmonary nodules
Describe what osteoporosis is (bone loss) caused by RA by the imbalance of bone remodelling
Bone resorption process mediated by osteoclasts
Cytokines involved in inflammation in the synovial accelerate osteoclasts differentiation by upregulating RANKL, leading to bone loss in RA. More prone to bone loss and bone fracture.
What dental disease is prevalent in RA?
Periodontitis and tooth loss
(strength of relation not confirmed yet)
What is the aim for management of RA?
Early intervention to control inflammation and prevent structural damage and prevent loss of function
How do you manage RA?
NSAIDs
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (eg methotrexate) - control progression, inflammation and damage
Steroids - not used long term due to side effects
Biological therapies (eg anti-TNF therapy)
What if TNF?
A very powerful inflammatory cytokines, with effects at many levels eg on osteoclast activation
What are the destructive effects of TNF? PG680 IMAGE
Effects on osteoclasts, synoviocytes and chondrocytes to cause:
Bone resorption leading to bone erosion; join inflammation leading to pain and swelling; cartilage degradation leading to join space narrowing
What are some seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
Reactive arthritis
Crohn’s disease/UC associated arthritis
What is common between the seronegative spondyloarthropathies?
These disease groups affect the skin, eyes, gut, and joints
Common genetic risk factor - HLA B27
What is anthesis?
Anthesis = where the tunnel attaches to the bone
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Spondylitis and arthritis
Arthritis of the spine, can be affected at many levels but also the saccryl joints and the coccyx.
Causes enthesitis and new bone formation - causes hard time moving the spine/joints
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Causes nail pitting, arthritis, swollen digits.
Complex polygenic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical features
Can affect skin, joints, eyes and many systemic parts
Sacrolytis is a prominent feature