Define Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
A disease resulting form a disordered* immune reaction in which there is an antibody or cell mediated attack against one’s own tissues.
What clues about SLE are revealed by determining WHICH organs are affected?
What are some systemic symptoms that signal a potential autoimmunity
Weight loss
Poor appetite
Fever
… these are quite vague and could be associated with anything.
What are some non-specific signs and symptoms of Autoimmunity?
Raynaud’s: hyper-reactivity of blood vessels. They turn white, then blue, then red as they get re-vascularized
Sicca: dry eyes and dry mouth
Diffuse lymphadenopathy
Certain manifestations that are highly associated with Autoimmunity
What are examples of general laboratory tests when you suspect AID
What are some examples of laboratory tests for “inflammation”
these are very non-specific
They would be elevated in
some examples?
What is an Auto-Antibody Test
- limitations
An antibody that an organism produces against any of its own tissues, cells, or cell components
found in association with many autoimmune disease
LIMITATIONS:
Best way to diagnose and give prognosis for AID
Through tissue biopsy
What are the four types of autoimmune rheumatic diseases
What are some examples of Connective Tissue Diseases
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Scleroderma (limited or diffuse)
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
Define Scleroderma
Autoimmune disease (CT type) characterized by uncontrolled severe fibrosis of the skin, blood vessels and other affected organs
Types:
diffuse or limited (CREST syndrome)
Most patients have Raynaud’s and a positive ANA
organs most affected: Skin, lungs, blood vessels, GI tract, kidneys
the fibrosis makes their skin thick i.e. they aren’y able to flex their fingers or lips
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Autoimmune disease which mainly affects the exocrine glands
Manifests as dry mouth (Xerostomia) and dry eyes (Xerophthalmia) also called Sicca symptoms
Associated with the anti-Ro (SSa) and anti-La (SSb) autoantibodies
Can also affect the joints, lung, kidneys, CNS..
Mixed CT Disease
Autoimmune disease with manifestations normally seen in 3 other autoimmune diseases:
- SLE
- Scleroderma
- Inflammatory myositis
Raynaud’s and lung involvement are common
Associated with the anti-RNP antibody
SLE
Systemic
Lupus
Erythematosus
A systemic autoimmune disease affecting primarily young women of child-bearing age, and characterized by immune complex deposition in the affected organs
F:M = 9:1
incidence is greater in ages below 50
What is the gold standard for SLE (and other autoimmune diseases) for making a clinical diagnosis?
It is the “expert opinion” of the clinician based on the presence of clinical signs and symptoms and supported by the presence of appropriate diagnostic tests.
SLE clinical manifestations
Lupus: Cutaneous Involvement
Acute LE
Subacute LE
Chronic LE
Acute LE cutaneous examples
Generalized and Localized (Malar)
Malar Rash
Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE)
There are two forms:
Characteristics:
Discoid Lupus Erthematosus (DLE) = chronic form
Muscosal Ulcers
Oral, Nasal, genital
Painful or painless
Difficult to differentiate from aphthous ulcers
May come in clusters, be larger or last longer
Arthritis in SLE
Most SLE patients have musculoskeletal involvement
Inflammatory Arthritis
Arthralgias, osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia…
Jacoud’s Arthropathy
Tendons are more affected
you’d see deformities
They are fixed if you pull on the finger, the deformity will not change. Vs in lupus you can put it back because it is the TENDONS and NOT the joints that are affected.