Rheumatology Flashcards
(111 cards)
How to classify causes of chronic polyarthopathies
Rheumatoid like:
symmetrical and proximal-stiffness of 30 mins +
Psoriatic
RA
Osteroarthritis (worse at evening)
Spondyloarthropathy: asymmetric oligoarthritis + spine
Gout
Connective tissue- SLE, Sjögrens
Causes of acute polyarthropathies
Infective:
Viral- migratory joint arthritis (rheum fever)
Gonococcal
Non-infective:
Reactive + Reiter’s
Acute causes of a monoarthropathy:
Gout Haemoarthropathy Osteoarthritis Septic joint Trauma
Common sites of psoriasis to check:
Elbows Hair line/ scalp Umbilicus Natal cleft Genitalia
Cause of monoarthritis:
vITAMin Infective- septic arthritis T- haemarthrosis, OA Autoimmune- early RA Metabolic- gout/pseudogout
Causes of oligoarthritis (<5 joints)
Seronegative arthropathies- psoriatic, reactive, ank spond
OA
Crystal arthropathies
Symmetrical vs Asymmetrical polyarthropathy causes?
Symmetrical- vITAmin:
Infection- Hep A, B, C, mumps (athralgia)
Trauma- OA
Autoimmune- RA
Asymmetric-
Seronegative arthropathies
What is Schober’s test?
Mark on back at level of posterior iliac spine
Measure 5cm below to 10cm above
Bend forward
Should increase by 5cm
How do neutrophil levels help to determine cause of swollen joint, once aspirated?
< 50% osteoarthritis or haemoarthrosis
~ 80% crystal arthropathies
> 90% septic arthritis
Radiological features of RA vs OA vs Gout:
OA: LOSS
Loss of joint space, osteophytes, subchondral cysts, subchondral sclerosis
RA: LOSED
Loss of joint space, osteopenia, soft tissue swelling, erosions, deformities
Gout: NOSE
No loss of joint space, soft tissue swelling, erosions
Back pain red flags:
Under 20, over 55, acute in the elderly
PC: SOCRATES S- thoracic O- pain at night C- constant R- bilateral/alternating sciatica A- fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdo mass, neuro disturbance, sphincter disturbance, leg claudication, morning stiffness T- progressive E- worse when supine, exercise-related (spinal stenosis)
3 clinical tests for sacroiliitis:
- Direct pressure
- Lateral compression
- Sacroiliac stretch test- hip + knee flexed + adduction = pain
Cauda equina compression signs:
Pain: alternating or bilateral leg pain
Sensation: saddle anaesthesia
Power: loss of anal tone on PR
Functional: bladder + bowel incontience
How is cauda equina compression differentiated from acute cord compression?
Spinal level in cord compression with UMN and LMN signs
In cauda equina there’s only LMN signs
How does OA differ from RA in symptom presentation?
OA:
S- distal hand joints, knees; monoarthritis, oligoarthritis, polyarthritis
O- evening;
E- exercise, stiffness after rest
RA:
S- proximal joints of hands feet; symmetric polyarthitis
O- worse in morning, stiffness >30 mins
A- extra-articular + systemic features
Management of osteoarthritis:
Conservative: exercise- aerobics, weight loss, PT, OT, walking aids, heat/cold packs, TENS machines
Medical: PO Paracetamol ± NSAIDs topical
2. Short term NSAIDs (+PPI), codeine, capsaicin, intra-articular steroids
Surgical: joint replacement
Patient has a red hot joint, what risk factors of septic arthritis should be asked about:
Over 80
PMH: joint disease-RA, diabetes, CKD, immunosupression
PSH: recent joint surgery, prosthetic joint
SHx: IVDU
Things to tell patients about NSAIDs:
Take lowest dose for shortest time, may not need every day
Don’t take additional over the counter NSAIDs
Look out for: malaena (GI bleeding), oliguria (renal impairment)
DHx: Avoid if already taking Aspirin
PMH CI: severe heart failure
SEs: increased risk of MI + stroke
How do the following drugs work?
A. NSAIDs
B. Aspirin
C. Paracetamol
A. Cyclooxygenase competitive inhibitor- preventing formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane from arachidonic acid
(COX1 in stomach makes prostaglandins that are protective)
Prevents fever by reduction of PGE2 signalling (acts on CNS)
B. Cyclooxygenase irreversible inhibitor
C. COX2 inhibitor ?Central actions + ?acting on endocannabinoid pathways
Hand signs of RA
Hands:
Swollen or red proximal small joints of hand (MCP, PIP, wrist)
Swan necking, Boutoniére’s, Z thumb deformity
Ulnar deviation, dorsal wrist subluxation
Elbow:
Bursitis, rheumatoid nodules
Tenosynovitis
Extra-articular features of RA:
Hands- Raynaud’s, carpal tunnel syndrome
Neck- lymphadenopathy
Face- episcleritis, scleritis, scleromalacia (conjuctiva degeneration) or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
Amyloidosis (glossitis)
Chest- bronchiectasis, basal fibrosis, obliterative bronchiolitis
Pleural + pericardial effusion
Abdominal- splenomegaly
Osteoporosis
Tests for rheumatoid arthritis?
Bloods: Anticyclic-citrullinated peptide, rheumatoid factor (70%)
Platelets, ESR, CRP
X rays: late disease
MRI or USS: synovitis
What 4 things make up the diagnostic criteria for diagnosing RA?
J-ASS score of 6/10 is diagnostic
- Joint involvement (swelling or tenderness) max score 5
- Acute phase reactants (abnormal CRP or ESR) max score 1
- Serology (anti-CCP or RF, high or low titres) max score 3
- Symptoms duration (>6 weeks) max score 1
Management of rheumatoid arthritis:
Conservative: PT, OT, help to stop smoking (increases symptoms), NSAID analgesia
Medical: Methotrexate + 1 DMARD (sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine)
Short term steroids (oral or intra-articular)
Surgical: to prevent pain or deformity, or improve function
After 6 months, DAS28 score >5.1