Week 3.4 Autoimmune Pathologies

Question 1

what is SLE

Answer 1

systemic Lupus erythematosis

Question 2

give an overview of the condition

Answer 2

AA and latino and asian women, aged 15 to 45, with women being 9-10x more likely than men

Question 3

is there a cure for SLE

Answer 3

no

Question 4

how do you self manage SLE

Answer 4

avoid exposure to sunlight
avoid smoking 
stress management 
prolonged rest at night (12 hours)
regular exercise

Question 5

what are signs and symptoms of SLE

Answer 5

joint inflammation, kidney disease, skin rashes, fatigue, muscle pain, fever, loss of hair, Raynaud’s disease, seizures, sensitivity to the sun, swelling (edema in the legs or around the eyes)

Question 6

SLE may also affect

Answer 6

heart, lungs, blood and brain

Question 7

how do you diagnose SLE

Answer 7

blood tests and tissue biopsy

Question 8

how do you treat SLE

Answer 8

corticosteroid creams,
NSAIDs,
antimalarial medications,
corticosteroid pills or IV

Question 9

is SLE a medical emergency

Answer 9

no, but you need a consultation,

Question 10

how do you do PT for a patient with SLE

Answer 10

manage their energy levels, ask them how they feel because they will often be fatigued

Question 11

what is dermatomyositis

Answer 11

pink cheeks
purple hue over the eyelids
red skin rashes (elbows, knuckles, knees)
muscle inflammation, weakness and ashiness.

Question 12

what happens to symptoms over time with dermatomyositis

Answer 12

flu like symptoms, with fever and chills and symptoms getting worse over time, to the point that they cannot stand or climb stairs

Question 13

what is the prognosis of dermatomyositis

Answer 13

good, if detected early, treatment will improve outcomes. Rarely recurrent, but you may need meds for up to 2 years

Question 14

how might dermatomyositis present

Answer 14

skin manifestation in the absence of muscle weakness, and subtle skin manifestations like subtle erythema

Question 15

how do you differential between lupus and dermatomyositis

Answer 15

lupus spares the naso- labial region, and in dermatomyositis, you have it every where, including the nose and mouth area.

Question 16

what is scleroderma

Answer 16

hardening of the skin that affects different body parts

Question 17

what is the cause an prognosis of scleroderma

Answer 17

cause is unknown, prognosis is no cure

Question 18

what is the incidence of scleroderma

Answer 18

localized form in child 
systemic in adults 
women more common (4:1)
genetic 
age 25-55

Question 19

how do you manage scleroderma

Answer 19

medications are greatly variable

Question 20

how do you handle scleroderma

Answer 20

prompt referral, minimize symptoms and reduce irreversible damage

Question 21

how can you tell if you have limited systemic scleroderma

Answer 21

CREST
C: calcinosis
R: Raynaud
E: esophageal dysfunction
S: Sclerodactyly (hardening of the skin and hands that cause the fingers to curl in like claws)
T: telangiectasia (widened venules that cause red lines on the skin, like webs)

Question 22

how do you diagnose scleroderma

Answer 22

blood test and other test that check organs and skin

Question 23

what pulmonary condition can you get with scleroderma

Answer 23

pulmonary HTN with SOB

Question 24

What is psoriatic disorder

Answer 24

speeds up the life cycle of skin cells (get rapidly appearing scales and patches) IDIOPATHIC.

Question 25

what are comorbidites with psoriatic disease

Answer 25

autoimmune thyroid disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and psoriatic arthritis

Question 26

what are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic disease

Answer 26

• red patches of the skin, covered with thigh and silvery scales
• small scaling spots
• dry cracked skin that bleeds
• itching burning and soreness
• thickened or pitted or ridged nails
• swollen and stiff joints

Question 27

how does psoriatic disease manifest in the clinic

Answer 27

• discomfort and pain,
• difficulty with routine tasks
• concern about the patients skin
• joint pain, swelling, inability to do ADLs

Question 28

what predisposes you to psoratic disease

Answer 28

• infection (strep or skin infections)
• injury to the skin, cut scrape, bug bite, severe burn
• stress
• smoking
• alcohol consumption
• Vit D deficiency
• certain meds (lithium)

Question 29

what is lithium prescribed for

Answer 29

bipolar disorders, HBP, beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, and iodides.

Question 30

how do you manage psoriatic disease

Answer 30

diet, exercise, weight control, avoid smoking, meds, monitor for depression

Question 31

what are we looking for with depression

Answer 31

difficulty sleeping, anxiety, fatigue

Question 32

is psoriatic an emergency

Answer 32

no, but can life threatening: damage organs