MEDI7212 Lecture 59: W8 - Connective tissue inflammatory disorders (part I)
Document Summary
Definition: connective tissue disorders are a group of chronic diseases characterised by systemic inflammation (autoimmune) and perpetuated by unknown genetic/ environmental factors, main types. Inflammatory myopathies - juvenile dermatomyositis, dermatomyositis (adults: diagnosis is depend primarily on clinical presentation & supported by ana. Ana testing: ana is a generic term for autoantibodies to nuclear and other cellular elements. Indication: patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of ct disease, highly sensitive but low specificity test for connective tissue disease (also presents in other autoimmune diseases & some healthy individuals), thus diagnostic value of +ve. U1rnp, scl-70/topoisomerase i, rna polymerase iim jo1, centromere: also consider assessment for organ involvement and specialist referral. Ve ana test indicates no further investigation for ct disease is necessary, unless clinical suspicion of sle or other ct disease remains high. Inadequate control of symptoms with above drugs - refer patient to specialist for. Dmards (weeks-months to become effective) such as hydroxychloroquine or.
