RA and OA

Question 1

How can you differentiate OA and RA on examination?

Answer 1

RA joints tend to be more tender, erythematous, and proximal interphalangeal joints tend to be affected more

OA joints tend to be non-tender, with boney pertuberances and distal interphalangeal joints affected more

Question 2

What are some pharmaceutical options in an acute attack of gout?

Answer 2

NSAIDs

Colchicine

Prednisolone

Question 3

How do gout crystals appear?

Answer 3

Yellow

Long

Question 4

What is the normal leukocyte numbers in a gouty joint apirate?

How does that compare to a septic arthritic joint?

Answer 4

200-2000 cf to 150,000-200,000

Question 5

How do you differentiate RA and reactive arthritis on Hx?

Answer 5

Ask about resent infections/infective symptoms

Question 6

What are some DDx for RA?

Answer 6

Reactive arthritis

OA

SLE

Psoriatic arthropathy

Seronegatives: Ankylosing spondylitis, IBD, reactive arthritis

Question 7

How do you investigate for kidney damage due to RA?

Answer 7

Haematuria in MSU