Rheumatology State Exam: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Vocabulary practice cards covering the general characteristics of collagenoses, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and Systemic Sclerosis based on lecture notes.

Kollagenosen

Autoimmune diseases that affect connective tissue and where organ involvement is in the foreground.

UCTD

Undifferenzierte Kollagenose (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease).

Overlap-Syndrom

Mixed clinical pictures (Mischbilder) comprising features of different autoimmune diseases.

ANA

Anti-Nukleäre Antikörper (Anti-Nuclear Antibodies), which are positive in collagenoses and specifically $95-100\%$ positive in SLE.

Raynaud-Syndrom

A common symptom in systemic autoimmune diseases involving vascular spasms; it occurs in $90\%$ of systemic sclerosis cases.

Sicca-Syndrom

A condition characterized by dryness of the eyes and mouth.

Hypergammaglobulinämie

An increase in gamma globulins reflecting B-cell hyperactivity.

Systemischer Lupus erythematodes (SLE)

An episodic autoimmune systemic disease with immunological hyperactivity and loss of tolerance against nuclear antigens.

Hypokomplementämie

The lowering or consumption of complement factors $C3$ and $C4$, often observed in SLE.

Schmetterlingserythem

Butterfly rash; a characteristic skin manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Pannikulitis

Inflammation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue.

Lupusnephritis

Glomerulonephritis associated with SLE, classified into histological classes I-VI.

EULAR Klassifikationskriterien

Criteria used for the classification of SLE, where a score of >$10$ points is required.

Systemische Sklerose

A disease characterized by the triad of vasculitis (vaskulopathie), inflammation/autoimmunity, and fibrosis.

lcSSC

Limitierte systemische Sklerose; features sclerodactyly and skin involvement distal to the elbows.

dcSSC

Diffuse systemische Sklerose; features skin involvement proximal to the elbows and on the trunk (Stammbetont).

Sklerodaktylie

Hardening and tightening of the skin on the fingers, a symptom of systemic sclerosis.