MSK: Part 3 Flashcards
What is Scleroderma
Systemic Scloerosis: Multisystem disease with involvement of skin and Raynauds
How does Systemic Sclerosis distinguish itself from localised scleroderma such as morphed
Latter: Do not involve organ disease and no vasospasm (Raynauds)
What gender does Scleroderma effect
Females
Peak incidence of Scleroderma
Between 30 and 50
Is Scleroderma common in children
No
Risk factors for Scleroderma
- Exposure to vinyl chloride, silica dust, adulterated rapeseed oil and trichloroethylene
- Drugs such as bleomycin
- Genetic
Pathophysiology for Scleroderma
- Widespread vascular damage involving small arteries, arterioles and capillaries is an early feature
Initial stage of scleroderma
- Initial endothelial damage with release of cytokines (endothelia-1) = VASOCONSTRICTION
What does continued vascular damage and increased vascular permeability and activation of endothelial cells lead to
- Upregulation of adhesion molecules: E-selectin, VCAM and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)
- Cell Adhesion: T and B cells, monocytes and neutrophils
- Migration of cells through leaky endothelium and into extracellular space
What do these cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions stimulate
Production of cytokines and growth factors which mediate PROLIFERATION and ACTIVATION of vascular and connective tissue cells - particularly fibroblasts
What mediators activate fibroblasts
IL1, 4, 6, 8, TGF-B and PDGF
What do fibroblasts secrete in Scleroderma
- Increased quantities of COLLAGEN TYPE I + 2
Consequence of secreted COLLAGEN TYPE I + 2
Fibrosis in lower dermis of the skin and internal organs
What is the end-product of scleroderma
- Uncontrolled and irreversible proliferation of connective tissue and thickening of vascular walls with narrowing of the lumen
- Damage to small blood vessels produces widespread obliterative arterial lesions and chronic ischaemia
Clinical presentation of Scleroderma
- RAYNAUDS
- Limited cutaneous scleroderma (CREST SYNDROME)
- Diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (30% of cases)
What is limited cutaneous scleroderma
- Starts with Raynaud’s for many years BEFORE skin changes
- Skin involvement limited to hands, face, feet and forearms
- Skin is tight over fingers and causes flexion deformities
- Face and skin produce beak-like nose and small mouth (microstomia)
- Painful digital ulcers and telangiectasia (spider veins on the skin)
- Oesophageal dysmotility or strictures
Why was it previously called CREST syndrome
- Calcinosus (calcium deposits in subcutaneous tissue)
- Raynauds
- Oesophageal Dysmotility or strictures
- Sclerodactyly (tightness of skin)
- Telenagiectasia (spider veins)
Why is Diffuse cutaneous scloerderma different to limited cutaneous scleroderma
Skin changes more rapidly and more widespread
What organs are involved in diffuse cutaneous scleroderma
- GI
- Renal
- Lung
- Heart
GI involvement in diffuse scleroderma
- Oesophagus loses strength and dilates = heartburn and dysphagia
- Small intestines loses strength and dilates = bacterial overgrowth and malabsorption
- Colon has pseudo-obstruction
Renal involvement in diffuse scleroderma
- Acute and CKD
2. Acute hypertensive crisis is a complication of renal involvement
Lung disease in diffuse scleroderma
- Fibrosis
- Pulmonary vascular disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
Herat in diffuse scleroderma
Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances due to myocardial fibrosis
Diagnostics for Scleroderma
- FBC
- Urinalysis
- CXR
- Hand X-ray
- Barium swallow
- High res CT