What is the hallmark clinical feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
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Key clinical signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for diseases like RA, SLE, Sjögren's, and spondyloarthropathies.
Mastering this deck will enhance your ability to recognize characteristic clinical features and interpret diagnostic findings of common rheumatologic diseases, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient management in clinical practice.
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| # | Front | Back | Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the hallmark clinical feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? | Persistent symmetrical polyarthritis predominantly affecting small joints such as the MCP, PIP, and wrist joints, often accompanied by morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes. | Think 'symmetrical small joint swelling and stiffness.' |
| 2 | Which autoantibodies are most characteristic of RA? | Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. | Anti-CCP is more specific for RA than RF. |
| 3 | What is the classic clinical feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)? | The malar (butterfly) rash across the cheeks and nasal bridge. | Think 'butterfly rash' as a hallmark skin manifestation. |
| 4 | Name two common immunologic markers used in SLE diagnosis. | ANA (antinuclear antibody) and anti-dsDNA antibodies. | ANA is sensitive but not specific; anti-dsDNA is more specific for SLE. |
| 5 | What is a key clinical feature of Sjögren's syndrome? | Chronic dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia). | Think 'dryness' as the main symptom. |
| 6 | Which autoantibodies are frequently positive in Sjögren's syndrome? | Anti-Ro (SSA) and Anti-La (SSB) antibodies. | Remember 'Ro' and 'La' as specific markers. |
| 7 | What are common features of ankylosing spondylitis (a spondyloarthropathy)? | Chronic inflammatory back pain, morning stiffness, and reduced lumbar mobility, often with sacroiliitis seen on imaging. | Think 'inflammatory back pain' with sacroiliac involvement. |
| 8 | Which HLA allele is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis? | HLA-B27. | HLA-B27 is a genetic marker linked to spondyloarthropathies. |
| 9 | What differentiates reactive arthritis from other spondyloarthropathies? | It often follows an infection (e.g., chlamydia, gastrointestinal bacteria) and is characterized by conjunctivitis, urethritis, and arthritis—collectively known as Reiter’s syndrome. | Think 'post-infection triad' for reactive arthritis. |
| 10 | What is the typical pattern of joint involvement in psoriatic arthritis? | Asymmetrical oligoarthritis, often affecting distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, with possible dactylitis ('sausage fingers'). | DIP involvement is characteristic. |
| 11 | Which clinical feature is characteristic of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)? | Skin thickening and hardening, especially on the fingers (sclerodactyly), with Raynaud's phenomenon. | Think 'hard skin and Raynaud's' as key signs. |
| 12 | What is Raynaud's phenomenon? | A vasospastic disorder causing episodic digital ischemia, characterized by color changes (white, blue, red) in response to cold or stress. | Remember 'white to blue to red' with cold exposure. |
| 13 | Which imaging feature supports the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis? | Sacroiliitis visible as bilateral sacroiliac joint erosions and sclerosis on X-ray or MRI. | Sacroiliitis is a hallmark imaging finding. |
| 14 | What is the significance of anti-CCP antibodies in RA? | Anti-CCP antibodies are highly specific for RA and are associated with more aggressive disease and joint damage. | Think 'anti-CCP = specific and prognostic.' |
| 15 | Which symptom differentiates SLE from other rheumatologic diseases in terms of skin manifestations? | The malar rash that spares the nasolabial folds, often photosensitive. | Remember 'butterfly rash' as distinctive for SLE. |
| 16 | What are common extra-articular manifestations of RA? | Pleuritis, pericarditis, subcutaneous nodules, and anemia. | RA can affect multiple organs beyond joints. |
| 17 | In Sjögren's syndrome, which gland is most commonly affected resulting in dryness? | Salivary glands (parotid and submandibular). | Dry mouth indicates salivary involvement. |
| 18 | What is dactylitis, and with which rheumatologic disease is it most associated? | Diffuse swelling of an entire finger or toe, often called 'sausage digit,' commonly seen in psoriatic arthritis. | Think 'sausage fingers' for psoriatic arthritis. |
| 19 | Which clinical feature is common to both systemic sclerosis and scleroderma? | Skin thickening and hardening (sclerodactyly). | Both terms refer to skin sclerosis. |
| 20 | What role does HLA-B27 play in spondyloarthropathies? | HLA-B27 predisposes individuals to develop spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis. | Genetic marker linked to disease susceptibility. |
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