Adhesive capsulitis — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardOsteoarthritis and Soft Tissue RheumatologyAdhesive capsulitisSCE Rheumatology

A 42-year-old woman has diabetes, gradual shoulder pain and marked restriction of active and passive external rotation with normal radiography. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: B — Adhesive capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is the single best answer because global active and passive restriction, especially external rotation, suggests adhesive capsulitis. The stem is testing diagnostic synthesis, not isolated recall, so the relevant clinical pattern and risk context determine the answer. Rheumatoid arthritis is less suitable because it fits a different clinical pattern or a different treatment threshold; Systemic lupus erythematosus, Psoriatic arthritis and Gout do not address the key discriminator in this vignette. Clinical pearl: in SCE-style rheumatology questions, autoantibodies, imaging and synovial fluid findings should be interpreted with the whole phenotype.

Reference: NICE NG226; NICE CKS soft tissue rheumatology