Rheumatology: enteropathic arthritis: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Rheumatology: enteropathic arthritis

Sample item

A 28-year-old man with active ulcerative colitis develops a swollen, painful knee and ankle. The arthritis improves quickly after his colitis is controlled with treatment. Which statement about this arthritis is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Peripheral joint activity runs parallel to bowel disease activity

Type 1 peripheral arthritis of inflammatory bowel disease is oligoarticular, affects large joints, is non-erosive and tracks the activity of the bowel disease. Axial disease behaves independently of bowel activity.

Option by option

  • A. Peripheral joint activity runs parallel to bowel disease activity (correct)

    Correct. Treating the colitis also settles this peripheral arthritis.

  • B. Joint activity is independent of the bowel disease

    Independence from bowel activity is the behaviour of axial disease, not this type.

  • C. It always occurs together with sacroiliitis

    Sacroiliitis is not obligatory with peripheral enteropathic arthritis.

  • D. It is usually erosive and deforming

    This arthritis is typically non-erosive and does not deform the joints.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Peripheral joint activity runs parallel to bowel disease activity. Type 1 peripheral arthritis of inflammatory bowel disease is oligoarticular, affects large joints, is non-erosive and tracks the activity of the bowel disease.

Why is "Joint activity is independent of the bowel disease" not the answer?

Independence from bowel activity is the behaviour of axial disease, not this type.

Why is "It always occurs together with sacroiliitis" not the answer?

Sacroiliitis is not obligatory with peripheral enteropathic arthritis.

Why is "It is usually erosive and deforming" not the answer?

This arthritis is typically non-erosive and does not deform the joints.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: enteropathic arthritis in General Medicine. Axial disease behaves independently of bowel activity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Rheumatology: enteropathic arthritis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.