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Felty Syndrome

Overview Felty syndrome is a rare but serious extra-articular manifestation of long-standing, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by the classic triad of RA, splenomegaly, and neutropenia. It was first described in 1924 by the US-American physician Augustus Roi Felty. It most commonly occurs after at least 10 years of poorly controlled RA and is associated…

Selective IgA Deficiency 

Overview Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency, defined by very low or absent serum IgA levels with normal levels of other immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM). Many patients are asymptomatic, but some develop recurrent mucosal infections, allergic disease, or autoimmune disorders. Prevalence is estimated at 1:300 to 1:700 in Caucasian populations. Diagnosis is often…

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Overview Acute kidney injury (AKI) (formerly acute renal failure) is the syndrome arising from a rapid fall in GFR (over hours to days). It is characterized by retention of both nitrogenous (including Urea and Creatinine) and non-nitrogenous waste products of metabolism, as well as disordered electrolyte, acid– base, and fluid homeostasis. AKI is neither a…

Melanoma

Overview Melanoma accounts for 4 percent of all dermatological cancer. Melanoma has the highest mortality rate of all dermatological cancers, only 14 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma survive for five years. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. Melanoma Overview Anatomy and Physiology The skin consist of three layers, from superficial…

Chronic Widespread Pain

Overview Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a nociplastic pain phenotype defined by persistent (≥3 months) pain affecting multiple body regions, with high comorbidity with fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood symptoms and functional impairment. The pooled global prevalence is ~10% (women>men), with higher rates in lower-HDI settings. CWP is recognised in ICD-11 within the chronic primary pain…

Cryoglobulinaemic Vasculitis

Overview Cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis is an immune complex–mediated small to medium vessel vasculitis caused by circulating cryoglobulins—immunoglobulins that precipitate below 37 °C and redissolve on warming. These immune complexes deposit in vessel walls, activate complement (typically with marked C4 consumption), and drive leukocytoclastic vasculitis. “Mixed” CV (types II and III) is most often linked to hepatitis…

Stroke (Ischaemic and Haemorrhagic)

Overview Third most common cause of death worldwide and most common cause of neurological disability. It is subdivided into ischaemic stroke (caused by vascular occlusion or stenosis) and haemorrhagic stroke (caused by vascular rupture, resulting in intra-parenchymal and/or subarachnoid haemorrhage). Stroke: Acute onset of a focal neurologic deficit due to a cerebral infarction or hemorrhage. Transient Ischaemic…

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