skip to main content

Enteropathic arthritis — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateSpondyloarthropathiesEnteropathic arthritisSCE Rheumatology

A 42-year-old woman has inflammatory back pain with diarrhoea and weight loss. Examination shows sacroiliac tenderness and peripheral ankle synovitis are present. Investigations show faecal calprotectin is raised. The consultant wants the next test most likely to confirm the suspected process or guide treatment. The result will change diagnosis, staging or immediate treatment. What is the most appropriate investigation?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Faecal calprotectin

Faecal calprotectin is the best answer because faecal calprotectin is the investigation most likely to resolve the immediate diagnostic or monitoring question in enteropathic arthritis. Autoantibody profile is a plausible distractor, but it does not account for the key discriminator in the stem. CRP and ESR and Synovial fluid culture would be more appropriate in a different clinical pattern or at another point in the pathway, while Plain radiographs of hands is suboptimal for this presentation. Clinical pearl: autoantibodies are supportive tests and should be interpreted alongside phenotype, inflammatory markers, urinalysis and imaging.

Reference: NICE NG65; EULAR/ASAS axial spondyloarthritis recommendations; BNF