Arthritis

Question 1

What is arthritis characterised by?

Answer 1

Painful and often swollen joints

Question 2

How many types of arthritis are there?

Answer 2

Over 100 different types

Question 3

What is osteoarthritis?

Answer 3

The most common type of arthritis - approx 1 in 5 adults over 45yrs in England have osteoarthritis in the knee, 1 in 9 have it in the hip.

Any joint can develop osteoarthritis however knee and hips are most commonly affected.

Question 4

What causes osteoarthritis?

Answer 4

Develops due to deterioration of articular cartilage.

Question 5

What is articular cartilage?

Answer 5

Articular cartilage is a protective ‘coating’ allowing for smooth articulation of
the joint also acts as a shock
absorber.

Question 6

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Answer 6

Pain and stiffness in joints
Joint tenderness
Joints appearing larger than usual
Crepitus
Limited range of movement in joints.

Osteoarthritis worsens over time and can affect more than 1 joint. However is not systemic or symmetrical.

Question 7

Where is osteoarthritis common?

Answer 7

Knees, hips, hands, spine.

Question 8

What are the risk factors of arthritis?

Answer 8

Joint injury
Gout
Age - over 45 most common
Family history
Obesity

Exact causes are unknown

Question 9

What is the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 9

450,000 adults have been diagnosed with it.

Prevalence of around 1% of the UK population.

More common in woman then men.

Question 10

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 10

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and
stiffness in the joints. The
condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.

Question 11

What causes rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 11

When antibodies attack the synovium, this results in inflammation (synovitis)

Thickened synovial membrane gradually causes the cartilage and bones to erode.

Causing Pannus.

Eventually boney ankylosis will form

Question 12

What is pannus?

Answer 12

Pannus is an abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue or granulation tissue. Common sites for pannus formation include over the cornea, over a joint surface (as seen in rheumatoid arthritis), or on a prosthetic heart valve.

Question 13

What can rheumatoid arthritis increase the risk of?

Answer 13

Heart disease.

Question 14

Is rheumatoid arthritis bilateral or unilateral?

Answer 14

Bi-lateral.

Question 15

Where does rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affect?

Answer 15

Hands and feet

Question 16

What are some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 16

Erythema (reddening)
Swelling
Pain
Deformity
Decreased strength
Limited range of motion

Question 17

What are the risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 17

-Can occur at any age, however more likely as older.
-Woman more than men.
-Genetic.
-Smoking.
-History of live births
-Children of lower income parents are higher risk of developing RA as adults
-Obesity

Question 18

What is gout?

Answer 18

Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid in the blood.

Hyperuricemia is the over production of uric acid.

This causes uric crystals to form in and around joints.

Question 19

What is the gout prevalence?

Answer 19

Most common inflammatory arthritis and is increasing in prevalence worldwide.

More common in men over 30 and post menopausal woman.

Gout is rare in people younger than 20 years old.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of gout?

Answer 20

-Severe pain in one or more joints.
-Joints feeling hot and very tender
-Swelling in and around joint
-Red, shiny skin over the affected joint.

Symptoms occur rapidly and last for 3-10 days.

Recurrent attacks at some pint, usually within a year.

Question 21

What are the risk factors of gout?

Answer 21

-Comorbidities (CKD, HTN, T2DM, OA)
-Diet
-Obesity
-Family history of hyperuricemia and gout
-Male
-Post menopausal woman
-Meds such as diuretics

Question 22

What is septic arthritis?

Answer 22

Life and limb threatening bacterial infection in the joint.
Requires antibiotics and emergent treatment by a surgeon/physician.