A 58-year-old woman with a history of left hip osteoarthritis presents for review. She is currently taking cocodamol 30/500 for pain on a regular basis but this is unfortunately not controlling her symptoms. There is no past medical history of note, in particular no asthma or gastrointestinal problems.
What is the most suitable next step in management?
Correct Answer C: NICE recommend co-prescribing a PPI with NSAIDs in all patients with osteoarthritis.
Topical NSAIDs are only indicated for osteoarthritis of the knee or hand.
Osteoarthritis: management: NICE published guidelines on the management of osteoarthritis (OA) in 2008:
What is the role of glucosamine?
Which one of the following is least associated with the development of gout?
Correct Answer D:
Gout: predisposing factors:
Gout is a form of microcrystal synovitis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate in the synovium. It is caused by chronic hyperuricaemia (uric acid > 0.45 mmol/l).
Decreased excretion of uric acid:
Increased production of uric acid:
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome:
*Aspirin in a dose of 75-150mg is not thought to have a significant effect on plasma urate levels - the British Society for Rheumatology recommend it should be continued if required for cardiovascular prophylaxis.
A 44-year-old woman is seen in the rheumatology clinic. She has been referred with Raynaud's phenomenon. During the review of systems she mentions that her GP is organizing an endoscopy to investigate dyspepsia. On examination she is noted to have tight, shiny skin over her fingers.
Which one of the following complications is she most likely to develop?
Correct Answer E: This patient is likely to have CREST syndrome. Unfortunately pulmonary hypertension is one of the more common late complications seen in such patients.
Systemic sclerosis:
Systemic sclerosis is a condition of unknown aetiology characterized by hardened, sclerotic skin and other connective tissues. It is four times more common in females.
There are three patterns of disease:
Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis:
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis:
Scleroderma (without internal organ involvement):
Antibodies: