I saw Ms. A. Khumalo in follow-up for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Past Medical History:
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed 2018)
2. Hypertension (diagnosed 2015, well-controlled)
3. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (diagnosed 2019, on metformin)
4. Latent Tuberculosis (treated 2017 with INH)
Disease History:
Ms. Khumalo was diagnosed with seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis in June 2018. Initial presentation involved symmetrical polyarthritis affecting small joints of hands and feet. Serology at diagnosis showed elevated RF and anti-CCP. She experienced a significant flare in early 2023 following a viral infection, but has otherwise shown a generally good response to treatment. No overlap with HIV-related immune reconstitution. No other comorbid autoimmune diseases identified.
Serology:
ANA: Negative
RF: 120 IU/mL (elevated)
Anti-CCP: 350 U/mL (elevated)
ESR: 45 mm/hr (previous: 20 mm/hr, 3 months prior)
CRP: 15 mg/L (previous: 5 mg/L, 3 months prior)
HLA-B27: Not performed
DMARDs & Biologics History:
* Methotrexate: 20mg PO weekly (started 2018, good response, current)
* Sulfasalazine: 1000mg BID (trialed 2019, discontinued due to GI upset)
* Hydroxychloroquine: 200mg PO daily (started 2020, ongoing, no significant side effects)
* Adalimumab: Not yet trialed.
Medications:
* Methotrexate 20mg PO weekly (with Folic Acid 5mg PO weekly)
* Hydroxychloroquine 200mg PO daily
* Prednisone 5mg PO daily
* Metformin 500mg PO BID
* Amlodipine 5mg PO daily
* Paracetamol PRN for pain
* Multivitamin daily
Allergies:
NKDA (No Known Drug Allergies)
Clinical Update:
Patient reports an increase in joint pain and stiffness over the past month, primarily affecting her wrists and knees. Morning stiffness now lasts approximately 2 hours, compared to 30 minutes previously. She also notes increased fatigue and difficulty with fine motor tasks, impacting her ability to perform daily household chores. Her overall ability to perform ADLs has moderately declined.
Review of Systems:
Rheumatologic: Increased joint pain and stiffness, fatigue. No new nodules.
Cardiac: No chest pain or palpitations.
Respiratory: No shortness of breath or cough.
Dermatologic: No new rashes or skin changes.
Neurological: No numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Physical Examination:
General: Alert and oriented, appears comfortable at rest.
Musculoskeletal:
* Hands: Swelling and tenderness noted in MCPs 2-3 bilaterally. Reduced grip strength.
* Wrists: Mild swelling and tenderness, restricted flexion/extension bilaterally.
* Knees: Mild effusions bilaterally, tender to palpation.
* Shoulders: Full range of motion, no tenderness.
* Skin: No rashes or nodules.
Investigations:
* ESR: 45 mm/hr (1 November 2024)
* CRP: 15 mg/L (1 November 2024)
* LFTs: Within normal limits (1 October 2024)
* Creatinine: 70 µmol/L (1 October 2024)
* X-rays of hands and wrists: Stable erosive changes (June 2024)
Impression:
Patient is currently in a moderate flare of her Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is evidenced by increased joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and elevated inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP). Her comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes) remain stable and are not contributing to the current rheumatologic flare.
Plan:
1. Increase Prednisone to 10mg PO daily for 2 weeks, then reduce to 7.5mg daily for 2 weeks, then revert to 5mg daily.
2. Consider escalation of DMARD therapy if flare not controlled with prednisone taper. Discuss adding a biologic (e.g. adalimumab) at next visit if current regimen proves insufficient.
3. Repeat FBC, LFTs, ESR, and CRP in 4 weeks.
4. Reinforce importance of adherence to current medication regimen and regular exercise within pain limits.
5. Referral to occupational therapy for assessment and provision of adaptive aids to assist with ADLs.
6. Review in rheumatology clinic in 6 weeks or sooner if symptoms worsen significantly.
Thank you for involving me in this patient's care. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I saw [Patient Initial or Name] in follow-up for [primary rheumatologic condition].
Past Medical History:
1. [List all relevant past medical conditions, including the primary rheumatologic diagnosis and any other chronic conditions. Include conditions common in South African clinical settings such as HIV, TB, diabetes, hypertension, or gout where relevant.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Disease History:
[Summarize the history of the patient’s rheumatologic condition(s). Include diagnosis date, any relevant serology, flare history, impact of previous infections (e.g. post-TB arthritis), and any overlap with HIV-related immune reconstitution or comorbid autoimmune disease.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Serology:
[State relevant serology results including ANA, RF, anti-CCP, ENA, HLA-B27, or other autoimmune markers used locally. Include results from state or private labs as provided.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
DMARDs & Biologics History:
[List current and previously trialed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. Include drugs accessible via state hospital formularies or private sector (e.g. methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, or adalimumab). Document response and side effects if applicable.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Medications:
[List all current medications including DMARDs, corticosteroids, pain medications (e.g. paracetamol, tramadol), supplements (e.g. folic acid), and any traditional or over-the-counter therapies mentioned by the patient.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Allergies:
[List any known drug allergies such as sulphonamides, penicillin, or NSAIDs. Include "NKDA" if explicitly stated.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Clinical Update:
[Describe the patient’s reported symptoms and overall condition since the last visit, including improvement or worsening of joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and ability to perform ADLs or work.]
(Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note.)
Review of Systems:
[Summarize relevant systemic symptoms across rheumatologic, cardiac, respiratory, dermatologic, and neurological systems—e.g. rash, chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness.]
(Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note.)
Physical Examination:
[Summarize findings such as joint swelling, tenderness, restricted movement, deformities, skin changes, rashes, or nailfold changes. Include relevant musculoskeletal observations.]
(Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note.)
Investigations:
[List completed laboratory and imaging results. Include recent ESR, CRP, creatinine, liver function, X-rays of affected joints, or ultrasound findings. Include the year or month/year if provided.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Impression:
[Summarize the current status of the patient’s condition. State whether stable, in flare, worsening, or showing signs of remission. Include any impact from comorbid conditions like HIV or diabetes if relevant.]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Plan:
1. [Outline medication continuation, changes, or discontinuation. Include details like "Continue methotrexate 20mg PO weekly" or "Reduce prednisone to 5mg/day."]
2. [Describe any lab monitoring required, e.g. "Repeat FBC, LFTs, and ESR in 4 weeks."]
3. [Provide any additional screening or monitoring instructions, e.g. "Refer for DXA if fracture risk identified" or "Eye screening for hydroxychloroquine use."]
4. [Address any symptom management strategies, such as referral to physiotherapy or advice on joint protection.]
5. [State follow-up instructions, e.g. "Review in rheumatology clinic in 3 months or sooner if flare."]
(If information for this section is provided in text in the contextual notes, copy in verbatim and only update if stated in the transcript and notes.)
Thank you for involving me in this patient's care. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
(Never come up with your own patient details, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation, or plan for continuing care—use only the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note as a reference for the information to include in your note. If any information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, you must not state the information has not been explicitly mentioned in your output, just leave the relevant placeholder or omit the placeholder completely.)
(Use as many lines, paragraphs, or bullet points, depending on the format, as needed to capture all the relevant information from the transcript.)