Hamzah's MSK pathology Flashcards
(103 cards)
What is osteoarthritis?
A group of diseases characterised by joint degradation
- usually primary - no clear underlying disorder
- can be secondary to joint disease - gout, rheumatoid arthritis
Epidemiology of OA
- most common joint condition
- F:M = 3:1
- onset = >50 years
Pathophysiology of OA
- progressive destruction and loss of articular cartilage with accompanying periarticular bone response
- low-grade inflammation –> IL1 and TNFalpha leads to the release of metalloproteinases from chondrocytes which degrades the cartilage matrix
- underlying bone is exposed and responds by becoming thickened –> cyst formation
- osteophytes –> cartilaginous growths at margins of the joint which become calcified
Clinical presentation of OA
- symptoms typically worsen during the day with activity
- localised - knee and hip
- pain on movement and crepitus
- background pain at rest
- joint gelling –> stiffness after 30 mins of rest
- joint instability
- bony nodules - Heberden’s nodules=PIP, Bouchard’s nodules=PIP
- mild synovitis
Differential diagnosis of OA
Rheumatoid arthritis
- pattern of joint movement
- absence of systemic features
- RA has marked early morning stiffness
Diagnostic tests in OA
- Radiography shows LOSS
- Loss of joint space
- osteophytes
- subarticular sclerosis
- subchondral cysts
Treatment of OA
- non-pharmacological = weight loss, exercise, physical therapy
- pharmacological - analgesia (paracetamol, NSAIDs (+PPI))
- hyaluronic acid injections
- surgery - joint replacement
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
= A chronic systemic inflammatory disease with a symmetrical, deforming, peripheral polyarthritis
Epidemiology of RA
- prevalence = 1%
- F:M = 2:1
- peak onset = 40-50 years
Aetiology of RA
- pre-menopausal women are significantly more affected than men/post-menopausal women
- FH
- Genetic features - HLA DR4 and HLA DR1
Pathophysiology of RA
- activated T cells, macrophages, mast cells and fibroblasts contribute to inflammation
- local production of rheumatoid factor (autoantibodies against Fc portion of IgG) leads to immune complex formation and complement activation
- infiltration of synovium occurs by immune cells –> synovitis
- angiogenesis of synovium occurs
- synovium proliferates
- pannus formation
- pannus erodes into the articular cartilage and destroys the joint, producing bony erosions
Clinical presentation of RA
- symmetrical, swollen and painful joints - worse in morning
- extra-articular symptoms = fever, fatigue, weight loss, pericarditis
- ulnar deviation of fingers
- Boutonniere and swan-neck deformities
- vasculitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, lymphadenopathy, rheumatoid nodules in elbows and lungs
Differential diagnosis of RA
SLE, OA, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies
Diagnostic tests in RA
- Rheumatoid factor (not very specific)
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti CCP) - highly specific
- XR - soft tissue swelling, loss of joint space, juxta-articular osteopenia
- US/MRI - synovitis
- anaemia of chronic disease
Treatment of RA
- DMARDs - methotrexate
- Biological agents - Infliximab
- NSAIDs for symptom relief
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Surgery
What is gout?
deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints
Aetiology of gout
- increased consumption of purines = shellfish, anchovies, red meat
- decreased clearance of uric acid - kidney failure
- DM, CVD, hypertension
Pathogenesis of gout
purines –> uric acid –> urate ion and sodium ion = monosodium urate crystals
Clinical presentation of gout
- acute monoarthropathy with severe joint inflammation
- > 50% occur at metatarsophalangeal joint
- can also affect ankle, foot, hand, wrist, elbow, knee
What are permanent deposits called in chronic gout?
tophi
Differential diagnosis of gout
pseudogout, septic arthritis
Diagnostic tests in gout
- polarised light microscopy of synovial fluid shows white crystals
- serum urate is raised or normal
- radiography - soft tissue swelling, punched out erosions in juxta-articular bone
Treatment of gout
- symptoms subside in 3-5 days
- colchicine - inhibits leukocyte migration
- NSAIDs or etoricoxib (selective COX2 inhibitor)
- Hydrocortisone
- allopurinol - xanthine oxidase inhibotor
What does xanthine oxidase do?
catalyses the conversion of purine to uric acid