Skip to main content

Rheumatology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:7.00
Study Course Accepted:19.02.2024 13:42:14
Study Course Information
Course Code:ISK_207LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Clinical Medicine; Internal MedicineTarget Audience:Medicine
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Anda Kadiša
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Internal Diseases
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 2 Hipokrata Street, iskatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67042338
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)1Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures2
Classes (count)10Class Length (academic hours)3Total Contact Hours of Classes30
Total Contact Hours32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge in propedeutics, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology, dermatology, pulmonology, cardiology, nephrology, biochemistry, imaging.
Objective:
The aim of the course is to provide students with additional knowledge in rheumatology of major but less common rheumatic diseases: their definition, prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis; to teach the principles of treatment of rheumatic diseases, indications of possible medications and possible side effects; be able to apply laboratory and imaging diagnostic techniques correctly; be able to develop differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases; to teach the course of rheumatic diseases during pregnancy; to acquire knowledge of extra-articular damage in rheumatic diseases; to teach common syndromes and diseases in cardiology and rheumatology.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Application of imaging diagnostic methods in rheumatic diseases diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Treatment options in rheumatology. Principles of drug therapy, drug use, indications, contraindications and side effects. a) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs b) Glucocorticoids c) Synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs d) Biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugsClasses1.00clinical base
3a. Application of laboratory methods in rheumatology. Autoantibodies: detection methods, sensitivity and specificity, diagnostic application. b. Pathological examinations and findings in rheumatological diseases: scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis / dermatomyositis, gout, inflammatory arthritis.Classes1.00clinical base
4Differential diagnosis of acute and chronic arthritis. Differential diagnosis of back pain.Classes1.00clinical base
5Soft tissue inflammation: tendinitis, tendovaginitis, enthesitis, bursitis: etiology, pathogenesis, clinic, diagnostics, basic principles of therapy. Congenital connective tissue and skeletal disorders: Morphan's syndrome. Elersa-Danlos Syndrome. Other joint and spine diseases: pigmented vilonodular synovitis, Paget's disease.Classes1.00clinical base
6The course and management of rheumatological diseases during pregnancy. Heart, kidney and lung damage in rheumatic diseases.Classes1.00clinical base
7Types of systemic rheumatoid arthritis: Felt syndrome and Stille's disease: etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinic, diagnostics, basic principles of therapy. Overview of clinical cases.Classes1.00clinical base
8Cardiology: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis.Classes1.00clinical base
9Cardiology: heart valve disease.Classes1.00clinical base
10Cardiovascular aspects of systemic diseases.Classes1.00clinical base
11Final examination: written exam with 3 questions from the following sections: cardiology, basic principles of diagnosis, treatment, management of rheumatic diseases and rheumatic diseases covered during the study cycle. Assessment with a mark.Classes1.00clinical base
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Individual work with medical literature, with a patient – history collection, interpretation of examinations, preparation of a treatment plan, formulation of a possible diagnosis.
Assessment Criteria:
During the last lesson, students answer one of the following questions in writing: 1. Principles of drug therapy, drug use, indications, contraindications and side effects: a. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs b. Glucocorticoids c. Synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs d. Biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. 2. Application of laboratory and imaging diagnostic methods in diagnostics of rheumatic diseases and determination of differential diagnoses. 3. Differential diagnosis of acute and chronic arthritis. 4. Differential diagnosis of back pain. 5. Osteoporosis. 6. Soft tissue inflammation: tendinitis, tendovaginitis, enthesitis, bursitis: etiology, pathogenesis, clinic, diagnostics, basic principles of therapy. 7. Congenital connective tissue and skeletal disorders: Morphan's syndrome. Elers-Danlos Syndrome. Congenital skeletal systemic diseases. 8. Other joint and spine diseases: pigmented vilonodular synovitis, Paget's disease. 9. The course and management of rheumatological diseases during pregnancy. 10. Heart, kidney and lung damage in rheumatic diseases. 11. Types of systemic rheumatoid arthritis: Felty syndrome and Still's disease: etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinic, diagnostics, basic principles of therapy. 12. Pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis. 13. Heart valve diseases. 14. Cardiovascular aspects of systemic diseases.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Upon successful course completion student is able to recognize congenital rheumatic diseases; knows the medications used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, their indications and possible side effects; is able to apply the most appropriate laboratory and imaging diagnostic methods for different rheumatic diseases; knows the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatic diseases; knows systemic forms of rheumatoid arthritis; has acquired course of rheumatic diseases during pregnancy; has acquired boundary conditions of cardiology and rheumatology.
Skills:As a result of the course acquisition, students will be able to communicate with patients and colleagues, determine the diseases listed in the study course description, their severity and course, differentiate them, justify the diagnosis, prescribe the necessary examination plan and evaluate their results and assign treatment to specific patients.
Competencies:As a result of the study course acquisition students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in the diagnosis process using the latest diagnostic methods, according to the latest clinical guidelines, apply the latest treatment methods, distinguish clinical symptoms, evaluate the results of diagnostic finding in a particular patient.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1A. Lejnieks. Klīniskā medicīna. 3. grāmata. SIA Medicīnas apgāds, 2012 (akceptējams izdevums) (latviešu plūsmai)
2Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Rheumatology. 3rd Edition (LANGE CURRENT Series) eBook: John Imboden, David Hellmann, John Stone. 2021
3The Merck Manual of diagnosis and therapy, current edition. 2018
4Harrison`s Rheumatology by Anthony S. Fauci, current edition. 2016 (akceptējams izdevums)
Additional Reading
1Marc C. Hochberg. Rheumatology, current edition. 2023
2Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 2021
3Oxford Textbook of Rheumatology, current edition. 2013
Other Information Sources
1https://www.rheumatology.org/Practice-Quality/Clinical-Supp…
2https://www.eular.org/Recommendations_classification_respon…