Rheumatologic emergencies

Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Dec;34(12):2011-9. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-2994-y. Epub 2015 Jun 24.

Abstract

Rheumatological conditions can sometimes present as emergencies. These can occur due to the disease process or infection; contrary to what many people think, rheumatologic emergencies like a pain, rheumatic crisis, or attack gout do not compromise the patient's life. This article mentioned only true emergencies: catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (cAPS), kidney-lung syndrome, central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, anti-Ro syndrome (neonatal lupus), and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The management of above emergencies includes critical care, immunosuppression when indicated, and use of a diagnostic flowchart as well as fast laboratory profile for making decisions. Anticoagulants have to be used in the management of antiphospholipid syndrome. A good understanding of these conditions is of paramount importance for proper management.

Keywords: Arthritis; Diagnostic tests; General; Methodology; Rheumatic diseases; SLE; Vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / therapy
  • Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Infectious / therapy
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Critical Care / methods
  • Emergencies*
  • Glomerulonephritis / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis / therapy
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnosis
  • Joint Dislocations / therapy
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology
  • Kidney Diseases / therapy
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / congenital
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Macrophage Activation Syndrome / therapy
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / therapy
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / therapy
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / diagnosis
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / therapy

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Neonatal Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with pulmonary hemorrhage