ACR Convergence 2024: Emerging Threats in Rheumatology
Nov 17, 2024
auto_awesome
Dr. Jose Kennedy Amaral Pereira, a rheumatologist from Brazil specializing in chronic chikungunya arthritis, joins Dr. Daniela DiMarco, an infectious disease physician focusing on STIs. They delve into the alarming rise of chikungunya in Brazil, comparing it to dengue and discussing its severe joint pain symptoms. The duo emphasizes the difficulty of distinguishing chronic chikungunya from rheumatoid arthritis. They also tackle the complexities of diagnosing syphilis, especially its mimicking of rheumatic diseases, underscoring the importance of precise testing in rheumatology.
Chikungunya arthritis and syphilis present significant diagnostic challenges in rheumatology, often mimicking more common autoimmune disorders, necessitating heightened clinician awareness.
The resurgence of syphilis highlights the impact of social determinants on health and the complexity of accurately diagnosing infections with rheumatic-like symptoms.
Deep dives
Chikungunya Epidemic in Brazil
Chikungunya fever has become a significant public health concern in Brazil, characterized by its high prevalence due to favorable climate conditions for Aedes mosquitoes. The country recently reported approximately 400,000 cases within a single year, contrasting with no reported cases in Europe during the same period. Chikungunya presents acutely with severe symptoms including high fever, polyarthritis, and myalgia, resembling rheumatoid arthritis flares. Distinguishing chikungunya from other rheumatic diseases is crucial, as a notable percentage, around 40-50%, of chikungunya patients can develop chronic arthritis, impacting their quality of life.
Diagnosis and Management Challenges
Diagnosing chronic chikungunya arthritis requires careful consideration of clinical presentations, as symptoms can mimic those of rheumatoid arthritis. Serological tests, including IgG and IgM, are often utilized to confirm the diagnosis, particularly during acute phases. Management strategies may involve administering medications typically used for rheumatoid arthritis, such as methotrexate and biologics, although treatment efficacy varies. Despite the high number of affected individuals, there is a lack of consensus guidelines among rheumatologists on managing chronic chikungunya arthritis, underscoring the need for further research.
Resurgence of Syphilis as a Public Health Concern
The resurgence of syphilis in recent years can be attributed to several factors, including decreased condom use and a rise in substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Increased rates of syphilis among individuals assigned female at birth and cases of congenital syphilis have also been observed. Syphilis is known as the 'great imitator,' often presenting with symptoms similar to various rheumatic diseases, making it essential for clinicians to consider it in differential diagnoses. The connection between syphilis and social determinants of health highlights the complexity of managing and preventing this infection.
Interconnectedness of Infections and Autoimmune Conditions
Both chikungunya and syphilis illustrate the relationship between infections and autoimmune conditions, where infections can trigger autoimmune responses or mimic autoimmune symptoms. There is a need for improved diagnostic methods to differentiate between infections and autoimmune diseases, ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment. The role of climate change and its effect on the epidemiology of these infections continues to be a pressing concern for healthcare providers. Awareness and thorough patient histories, including travel and sexual activities, are fundamental in identifying these infections in patients presenting with musculoskeletal symptoms.
As we continue to highlight sessions from Convergence 2024, we came upon this talk we think you should not miss: Emerging Threats in Rheumatology: Chronic Chikungunya Arthritis and Syphilis Mimicking Rheumatic Diseases. Session presenters, Dr. Jose Kennedy Amaral Pereira and Dr. Daniela DiMarco help us explore the world of emerging threats in rheumatology: specifically, Chikungunya Arthritis and Syphilis. These two experts share insights with us to help diagnose and manage those with these devastating infections and highlight for us how important it is for rheumatologists to remain on high alert for these infections, which can be easily mistaken for more common rheumatic disorders!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode