TO DO MSK & RHEUM Flashcards
(220 cards)
RHEUM PHYSIOLOGY
Explain why ESR levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain
Inflammation leads to increased fibrinogen –> RBC’s clump together –> RBC’s fall faster = increased ESR
RHEUM PHYSIOLOGY
Explain why CRP levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain
Inflammation leads to increased IL-6 levels –> CRP produced in response to IL-6 –> CRP raised
SPONDYLARTHRITIS
Give 6 signs of spondyloarthritis
SPINE ACHE
- Sausage digits = dactylics
- Psoriasis
- Inflammatory back pain
- NSAID responsive
- Enthesitis
- Arthritis
- Crohn’s/UC
- HLAB27
- Eye - uveitis
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
what is the clinical presentation of ankylosing spondylitis
pain + stiffness → worse with rest/at night + improves with movement
SYMPTOMS
- back pain
- reduced spinal movement
- dyspnoea
- peripheral arthritis + dactylitis
- painful red eye
SIGNS
- pain in buttock or along axial spine
- reduced lumbar flexion (when patient tries to touch toes)
- loss of lumbar lordosis
- reduced chest expansion
- asymmetrical peripheral joint pain (oligoarthritis)
- anterior uveitis
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What investigations might you do in someone who you suspect to have ankylosing spondylitis?
CRP + ESR - raised
HLA B27 genetic test
X-ray of spine + sacrum
MRI spine - bone marrow oedema in early disease before x-ray changes
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
what are the signs on x-ray?
- Bamboo spine
- Squaring of vertebral bodies
- dagger sign
- Subchondral sclerosis + erosions
- Syndesmophytes
- Ossification of ligaments, discs + joints
- Fusion of facet, SI + costovertebral joint
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis?
- > 3 months back pain
- Aged <45 at onset
- Plus one of the SPINE ACHE symptoms
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
What is the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
1st line
- regular exercise regimes
- NSAIDs
- corticosteroid injections
- DMARD (if NSAIDs not tolerated/ineffective) = ADALINUMAB, ETANERCEPT or INFLIXIMAB
2nd line
- surgery
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
what are the clinical features of psoriatic arthritis
- Asymmetrical oligoarthritis (60%) - affects DIP joints
- Large joint arthritis (15%)
- Enthesitis - inflammation of entheses
- Dactylitis - inflammation of full finger
- Nail changes (pitting, onycholysis)
- inflammatory joint pain
- plaques of psoriasis
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
What investigations might you do in someone you suspect to have psoriatic arthritis?
X-ray
- Erosion in DIPJ + periarticular new-bone formation - Osteolysis - Pencil-in-cup deformity
Bloods
- ESR + CRP - normal or raised
- Rheumatoid factor -ve
- anti-CCP - negative
Joint aspiration - no bacteria or crystals
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
How do you treat psoriatic arthritis?
MILD DISEASE
- NSAIDS + physiotherapy
- intra-articular steroids
PROGRESSIVE DISEASE
- DMARDs (1st line = methotrexate, sulfasalazine is alternative)
- biologic agents (etanercept or infliximab)
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
What investigations might you do in someone you suspect to have reactive arthritis?
swab from infected site - urethral, cervical or rectal
stool sample
joint aspiration (to rule out septic arthritis)
full screening for STIs
HLA-B27 serology
x-rays of affected joints
ophthalmological evaluation
REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
How is reactive arthritis treated?
1st line
- NSAIDs
- intra-articular corticosteroids
- antibiotics if active STI
2nd line
- oral corticosteroids
- DMARD (methotrexate or sulfalazine)
- infliximab
OESTEOPOROSIS
Give 4 properties of bone that contribute to bone strength
- Bone mineral density
- Bone size
- Bone turnover
- Bone micro-architecture
- Mineralisation
- Geometry
OESTEOPOROSIS
Why can RA cause osteoporosis?
RA is an inflammatory disease
High levels of IL-6 and TNF –> increase bone resorption
OESTEOPOROSIS
Give 5 risk factors for osteoporosis
- old age, women, FHx, previous fracture, smoking, alcohol, Asian/Caucasian
‘SHATTERED’
- Steroid use
- Hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalciuria
- Alcohol + tobacco use
- Thin (BMI < 18.5)
- Testosterone (low)
- Early menopause
- Renal or liver failure
- Erosive/inflammatory bone disease (e.g. myeloma or RA)
- Dietary low calcium /malabsorption or Diabetes type 1
OESTEOPOROSIS
which endocrine diseases can be responsible for causing osteoporosis?
- Hyperthyroidism and primary hyperparathyroidism - TH and PTH increase bone turnover
- Cushing’s syndrome - cortisol leads to increase bone resorption and osteoblast apoptosis
- Early menopause, male hypogonadism - less oestrogen/testosterone to control bone turnover
OESTEOPOROSIS
which medications can cause osteoporosis?
- glucocorticoids (steroids
- phenytoin
- heparin
- ciclosporin
- PPIs
- pioglitazone
- SSRIs
- Aromatase inhibitors
OESTEOPOROSIS
What is a T score?
Is a standard deviation that is compared to a gender-matched young adult mean
OESTEOPOROSIS
what is the treatment for osteoporosis?
CONSERVATIVE
- weight-bearing exercise
- vitamin D + calcium intake
- smoking cessation
- reduce alcohol consumption
MEDICAL (DEXA <-2.5)
- 1st line = bisphosphonates (alendronic acid or zoledronic acid) + calcium and vit D supplement (adcal D3)
- 2nd line = denosumab or raloxifene (post-menopausal women) or PTH receptor agonist (teriparatide)
OESTEOPOROSIS
Give 3 disadvantages of HRT
- Increased risk of breast cancer
- Increased risk of stroke and CV disease
- Increased risk of thrombo-embolism
OESTEOPOROSIS
How do bisphosphonates work?
Inhibit cholesterol formation –> osteoclast apoptosis
VASCULITIS
Describe the pathophysiology of of vasculitis
Vessel wall destruction –> perforation and haemorrhage
Endothelial injury –> thrombosis and infarction
GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
what are is the clinical presentation of giant cell arteritis?
- Headache, typically unilateral over temporal area
- Temporal artery/scalp tenderness
- Jaw claudication
- Visual symptoms - vision loss (painless)
- Systemic symptoms - fever, malaise, lethargy