Rheumatic and MSK Disorders
- Medical Specialities
- Allergy and Immunotherapy
- Rheumatic and MSK Disorders
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Rheumatic and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders encompass conditions affecting the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. These disorders can be classified into several categories:
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- Presentation: An autoimmune disease causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, often affecting hands, wrists, and feet symmetrically. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes is common. Can also impact other organs like the eyes and lungs.
- Age Group: Most common between ages 30 and 60, with a higher prevalence in women.
- Common Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, stiffness (often symmetrical), fatigue, and rheumatoid nodules.
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Spondyloarthropathies (SpA)
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Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
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- Presentation: Primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing stiffness and pain that can lead to vertebral fusion.
- Age Group: Typically begins in young adulthood, more common in men.
- Common Symptoms: Gradual onset of lower back and buttock pain that worsens at rest and improves with activity.
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Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
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- Presentation: Associated with psoriasis, affecting joints, tendons, and ligaments.
- Age Group: Typically develops between ages 30 and 50.
- Common Symptoms: Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, nail changes, dactylitis, enthesitis, and skin plaques.
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Reactive Arthritis
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- Presentation: Joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body.
- Age Group: Most common in adults aged 20 to 40.
- Common Symptoms: Joint pain, eye inflammation, and urinary symptoms.
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IBD-associated Arthritis
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- Presentation: Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
- Common Symptoms: Joint pain and swelling, often affecting large joints like the knees and ankles, with flares corresponding to bowel symptoms.
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Crystal-induced Arthritis (Gout)
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- Presentation: Caused by uric acid crystal buildup in joints, most commonly affecting the big toe.
- Age Group: More common in men, usually after age 40.
- Common Symptoms: Sudden and severe joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth.
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Osteoarthritis (OA)
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- Presentation: A degenerative joint disease due to cartilage breakdown.
- Age Group: More common in older adults.
- Common Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, and limited movement, often affecting knees, hips, and hands.
