Week 2 Flashcards
What is the definition of rheumatoid arthritis?
A chronic systemic inflammatory disease, characterised by potentially deforming symmetrical polyarthritis and extra-articular features (systemic disease)
What age group does rheumatoid arthritis tend to develop in and what is the female to male ration?
30-50
3:1
What genes may contribute to the cause of rheumatoid arthritis?
HLA, DR4 and DR1
Give two factors which may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis?
- Cigarette smoking
2. Infective aetiology
Name two differences between a normal joint and a rheumatoid arthritis affected joint?
- Tendon sheath becomes inflamed
2. Synovial membrane is inflamed
In relation to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis: what does the synovium become laden with?
Macrophages, fibroblasts and multi-nucleated giant cells (resemble osteoclasts)
In relation to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis: what does the synovial membrane do?
Expands, actively invades and erodes surrounding bone and cartilage
Give four articular symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Joint pain worst on waking and improve with activity
- Stiffness
- Joint swelling
4, malaise and fatigue
Give four signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Reduced range of movement
- Deformities
In teh arthritis classification criteria - what is definite RA defined by (3 things)?
- Presence of synovitis in at least 1 joint
- Absence of alternative better diagnosis explaining synovitis
- Achievement of total score of 6 or more
In the arthritis classification criteria - what are the 4 point scoring systems?
- Number and site of involved joint (0-5)
- Serological abnormality (0-3)
- Elevated acute phase response (0-1)
- Symptom duration (0-1)
Give four investigations for rheumatoid arthritis?
- Anti CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide); RF (rheumatoid factor)
- Inflammatory markers - PV, CRP
- Anaemia of chronic disease
- Radiology - ultrasound
Give four late complications of RA?
- Infection
- Cervical myelopathy
- Interstitial lung disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
Is it a good prognosis if you are male and young at age of RA onset?
No
In RA what is the window of opportunity for treatment?
3 months
What is the first step treatment for RA?
Early initiation of disease modyfyfing drugs (DMARDs) with steroids to cover ‘lag phase’
What drugs used for RA are slow avting (weeks to months), reduce rate of joint damage?
DMARDs
Give a few examples of DMARDs?
- Methotrexate
- Sulfasalazine
- Leflumamide
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Penicillamine
4 biologic approaches have achieved major impact in RA - what do infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept belongto?
Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibition
4 biologic approaches have achieved major impact in RA - what do Rituximab belong to?
B cell depletion
4 biologic approaches have achieved major impact in RA - what do Abatacept belong to?
Disruption of T cell costimulation
4 biologic approaches have achieved major impact in RA - what do anankira and tocilizumab belong to?
IL-1 inhibition and IL-6 inhibition
What four features define osteoarthritis?
- Articular cartilage failure
- Subchondral sclerosis
- Loss of joint space
- Subchondral cyst formation
What consists of predominantly collagen type 2 fibres linked by covalent bonds, conferring tensile strength?
Cartilage
In osteoarthritis what is there a loss of and release of?
Loss of matrix, release of cytokines (IL-1, TNF) and mixed metalloproteinases, prostaglandins
What occurs once there has been a loss of matrix in OA?
Fibrillation of the cartilage surface and attempted repair with osteophyte formation
What is the last stage process of OA?
No cartilage left so synovial fluid goes into bone causing cysts
What can previous injury, RA, genetic elements, acromegaly and calcium crystal deposition disease all lead to?
Secondary OA
Is OA more common in females or males?
Females
Name two occupations more at risk of OA?
Hairdressers and farmers
Describe the pain in OA?
Worse on activity and relieved by rest.
What is the stiffness like in OA?
Usually morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes. Inactivity gelling.
What 4 features can be found on examination in a patient with OA?
- Crepitus
- Bony enlargements due to osteophytes
- Joint tenderness
- Joint effusion
What spine segment is OA rarely seen in?
Thoracic
Name three joints in the hand affected by OA?
DIP, PIP and 1st CMC
In OA of the hands - where might bony enlargements be seen?
DIPs (Heverdens nodes)
PIPs (Bouchards nodes)
Give 2 features of OA in the knee?
Genu varus and valgus deformities
Bakers cysts
Give three features of the hip in OA?
- pain may be felt in groin or radiating to knee
- pain felt in hip may be radiating from the lower back
- hip movements restricted
In OA of the spine - what might osteophytes impinge on and what might happen in the lumbar section?
Nerve roots
Can cause spinal stenosis if encroach on spinal canal
What three pharmacological measures are done for OA?
- Analgesia
- NSAIDS
- Pain modulators - tricyclics
Name two intra-articular mananagements for OA?
Steroids and hyaluronic acid
What is the most effective treatment for OA?
Joint replacement
What is inflammation in the joint triggered by uric acid crystals?
Gout
Is gout more common in males or females?
Males
What stage in life is gout common to occur in?
After menopause
At what level of uric acid does it become insoluble?
> 0.42 mmol/l
What do inherited enzyme defects, myeloproliferative disorders, psoriasis, haemolytic disorders, alcohol and high dietary purine intake (red meat, seafood, corn)?
Increased urate production
What does chronic renal impairment, volume depletion (heart failure), hypothyroidism, diuretics and cytotoxics (cyclosporin)?
Reduced urate excretion
What three joints does acute gout present in?
1st MTP > ankle > knee
Does gout settle without treatment?
10 days without treatment
3 days with treatment
What condition is chronic joint inflammation, often diuretic associated and involves high serum uric acid?
Chronic tophaceous gout
What is tophi - found in chronic tophaceous gout?
Swelling in fingers and toes
What two things are raised in chronic tophaceous gout?
- Serum uric acid raised - may be normal during acute attack
- Raised inflammatory markers
What is the key investigation for chronic tophaceous gout?
Polarised microscopy of synovial fluid
What does chronic tophaceous gout look like on an x-ray?
Dense shadow streching from base of DIP to middle of pharynx
What are the three treatments for acute gout?
- NSAIDs
- Colchicine
- Steroids
What two drugs are used for the prophylaxis of gout?
Allopurinol
Febuxostat
When should you start prophylaxis treatment for gout?
2-4 weeks after acute attack
What condition is commoner in the elderly, chondrocalcinosis increases with age, is related to osteoarthritis and affects fibrocartilage - knees, wrists and ankles?
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease
What is another name for calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease?
Pseudo-gout