Rheumatology, Oncology, and Sleep Medicine Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Rheumatoid Arthritis, PMR, GCA, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Oncology, Survivorship, Polysomnography, and Lymphadenopathy based on lecture notes.

Leading cause of premature mortality in RA

Cardiovascular disease (specifically myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure due to chronic inflammation).

Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

A major contributor to RA mortality; should be suspected if a patient develops chronic cough or dyspnea.

"HEART LIPS" Mnemonic

A trick to remember RA complications: Heart disease, Extra-articular, Amyloidosis, Respiratory, Tumors, Low bone density, Infections, Peripheral neuropathy, Skin ulcers.

RA Pathophysiology cytokines

Pro-inflammatory cytokines involved include TNF-α and IL-6.

RA Peak Onset Age

$30–50$ years.

RA Morning Stiffness

Duration of $>30$ minutes.

Joints Spared in RA

DIP (Distal Interphalangeal) joints.

Most Specific RA Antibody

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA or anti-CCP).

First-line RA Therapy

Methotrexate ($15–25\,mg$ weekly), which must always be given with folic acid.

2010 ACR/EULAR score

A score of $\ge 6/10$ points is required for Rheumatoid Arthritis classification.

PMR Classic Symptoms

New bilateral shoulder pain, hip/pelvic girdle aching, and morning stiffness $>45$ minutes in patients aged $\ge 50$ years.

PMR vs. GCA Prednisone Dosing

PMR requires low-dose ($12.5–25\,mg/day$), while GCA requires higher doses ($40–60\,mg/day$).

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

A granulomatous vasculitis of large and medium arteries characterized by headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and visual symptoms.

GCA Visual Emergency Treatment

IV methylprednisolone.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Pain Pattern

Chronic inflammatory back pain that improves with exercise and occurs in patients with onset before age $45$.

AS Associated Gene

HLA-B27.

Schober's test

A special physical exam test used to assess decreased lumbar flexion in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

AS Imaging Gold Standards

Pelvic X-ray for sacroiliitis and MRI for detecting early inflammation.

Febrile Neutropenia

A critical oncology emergency that caregivers must be educated to recognize.

RA Malignancy Risk

Increased risk of Lymphoma.

Systemic Sclerosis Malignancy Risk

Increased risk of Lung cancer.

TNM Staging

The standard staging system for solid tumors (Tumor, Node, Metastasis).

ASCO Guidelines App

The best mobile resource for supportive care, toxicity management, and palliative care.

ICI Therapy Monitoring

Routine labs for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors include CBC and CMP every $4$ weeks, and TSH with Free T4 every $4–6$ weeks.

Immune-related Pneumonitis

A potential toxicity from immunotherapy presenting with dyspnea, cough, and hypoxia.

Polysomnography (PSG)

The gold standard test for diagnosing sleep disorders, measuring EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG, and respiratory effort.

Sleep Stage N2

The most common sleep stage, characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes.

Sleep Stage N3

Deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) characterized by delta waves.

REM Atonia

The normal loss of muscle tone during REM sleep; its absence leads to REM Behavior Disorder.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Characterized on PSG by absent airflow and absent respiratory effort.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Characterized on PSG by absent airflow despite continued respiratory effort.

B symptoms

Constitutional symptoms suggesting lymphoma: fever, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.

Sarcoidosis LAD finding

Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy on imaging.

Phenytoin

A common medication associated with drug-induced generalized lymphadenopathy.

Excisional Lymph Node Biopsy

The preferred diagnostic test when malignancy is suspected in cases of lymphadenopathy.