Question

Difficulty: MediumRheumatology and Immunology

Immunosuppressive and disease-modifying therapies used in rheumatologic conditions are associated with distinct adverse effect profiles requiring specific monitoring strategies. Match each medication below with its most characteristic adverse effect profile.

  • HydroxychloroquineIrreversible macular toxicity necessitating baseline and periodic visual field testing
  • CyclophosphamideAcrolein-mediated hemorrhagic cystitis and an elevated risk of transitional cell carcinoma
  • InfliximabImpaired granuloma maintenance leading to reactivation of latent tuberculosis
  • MethotrexateHepatic fibrosis, myelosuppression, and oral ulcers mitigated by folic acid

Answer

Hydroxychloroquine matches with macular toxicity; Cyclophosphamide matches with acrolein-mediated hemorrhagic cystitis; Infliximab matches with reactivation of latent tuberculosis; Methotrexate matches with hepatic fibrosis and oral ulcers.
The correct pairings align each rheumatologic medication with its most distinct and highly tested adverse effect, which directly informs the required clinical monitoring (e.g., ophthalmologic exams for hydroxychloroquine, TB testing for infliximab, mesna for cyclophosphamide, and folate supplementation for methotrexate).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the adverse effect profile of hydroxychloroquine.
Identified as a cause of irreversible retinal toxicity, matching it to the requirement for periodic visual field testing.
Ophthalmologic screening is the standard of care for patients on long-term hydroxychloroquine.
2
Analyze the adverse effect profile of cyclophosphamide.
Identified as a cause of hemorrhagic cystitis and bladder cancer due to its metabolite acrolein.
Understanding the metabolism of cyclophosphamide explains its specific urothelial toxicity.
3
Analyze the adverse effect profile of infliximab.
Identified as a TNF-alpha inhibitor that impairs granuloma maintenance, matching it to latent tuberculosis reactivation.
TNF-alpha is mechanistically required to contain mycobacterial infections.
4
Analyze the adverse effect profile of methotrexate.
Identified as causing hepatotoxicity and stomatitis, which are mitigated by folic acid.
Methotrexate's mechanism as a folate antimetabolite directly leads to these toxicities.

Key Concept

Adverse effect profiles and monitoring requirements of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic agents.
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