Give 3 causes of inflammatory joint pain.
Give 2 causes of non-inflammatory joint pain.
What are the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation?
How does inflammatory pain differ from degenerative [non-inflammatory] pain?
Name 2 inflammatory markers that can be detected in blood tests.
Explain why ESR levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain.
Inflammation leads to increased fibrinogen which means the RBC’s clump together. The RBC’s therefore fall faster and so you have an increased ESR.
Explain why CRP levels are raised in someone with inflammatory joint pain.
Describe the ESR and CRP levels in someone with lupus.
What protein are all spondyloarthropathy conditions associated with?
HLA B27 which raises an autoimmune response
Give 5 conditions that fall under the umbrella term spondyloarthritis.
What is the function of HLAB27?
It is an antigen presenting cell.
Describe the ‘molecular mimicry’ theory for explaining why HLAB27 is associated with spondyloarthritis.
Infectious agents have peptides very similar to HLAB27. An auto-immune response is triggered against HLAB27.
Name 3 theories that can explain why HLAB27 is associated with spondyloarthritis.
what is enthesitis
inflammation of the entheses = the insertion point of the tendons and ligaments to the bone.
Give 9 signs of spondyloarthritis.
SPINEACHE
1. Sausage digit – dactylitis = swelling of a whole digit. Predictor of underlying bone damage
1. Psoriasis
1. Inflammatory back pain + buttock pain
1. NSAID – good response
1. Enthesitis of the heel
1. Arthritis –distal joint involvement = psoriatic arthritis [or OA]
1. Crohn’s / colitis / potentially elevated CRP
1. HLAB27
1. Eye – uveitis. Anterior uveitis = iritis
What is the general treatment for all spondyloarthritis?
Describe the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis.
- what areas are most commonly affected
Give 8 symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
What investigations might you do in someone who you suspect to have ankylosing spondylitis?
HLAB27 test NOT diagnostic as 90% of AS pts are +ve and 10% of healthy pts are +ve.
useful for differentiating between other rheumatological conditions though
What is the diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis?
Give 3 locations that psoriasis commonly occurs at.
What is reactive arthritis?
What gut infections are associated with reactive arthritis?
Salmonella, shigella, yersinia campylobacter.