Rheumatology & Haematology — Flashcards

If ankylosing spondylitis is suspected but there are no signs of sacroiliac joint abnormality on x-ray, what is the next step? _____

Presentation of ankylosing spondilitis usually involves _____ which is worse in the mornings and improves with exercise

What is the initial management of ankylosing spondylitis? lifestyle: _____, physiotherapy pharmacology: NSAIDs

Hint: Lifestyle

What drug classes can be used by rheumatologists to treat ankylosing spondylitis? _____ & TNF-alpha inhibitors (e.g. adalimumab)

Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with the _____ gene

What are the common findings upon X-ray of ankylosing spondylitis? Pelvic: _____ Spinal: Squaring of lumbar vertebrae, syndesmophytes

_____ increases the risk of pulmonary embolisms

Hint: drug

If a PE is likely (≥ 5 points) a CTPA is negative then _____ if DVT is suspected

Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis can cause _____ of the spine (vertebrae)

D-dimers are highly _____ but have poor specificity

Hint: specific/sensitive