2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
1 Update on General Medicine
Chapter 9: Rheumatic Disorders
Highlights
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Effective biologic agents are continually being developed for the treatment of rheumatologic diseases. These agents target cytokines through various mechanisms: inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), blocking interleukin receptors, modifying T-cell or B-cell activity, or inhibiting the Janus kinase enzyme involved in mediating inflammation.
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Anti–TNF-α agents can be associated with significant adverse effects in rare instances, such as lymphoma or opportunistic infections, and may be linked to demyelinating disease, including optic neuritis.
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Actual body weight is more predictive than ideal body weight in assessing risk of maculopathy from the use of hydroxychloroquine.
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Undiagnosed spondyloarthritis may present with anterior uveitis.
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Children with the common forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis should be periodically screened for uveitis, which is often asymptomatic.
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Clinicians should consider antiphospholipid syndrome when atypical ocular vaso-occlusive disease occurs in a patient younger than age 50.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 1 - Update on General Medicine. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.