Aspects of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 1

What are the main therapeutic agents used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 1

NSAID’s
DMARD
Biologics
Carticosteroids

Question 2

Name 4 Disease modifying Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD) used in rheumatic arthritis

Answer 2

Methotrexate
Sulfasalazine
Hydroxychloroquine
Leflunomide

Question 3

Name some of the biologic drugs used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer 3

TNFa inhibitors
IL-1 inhibitors 
Anti-B cell therapies (Rituximab)
Anti-T cell therapies 
IL-6 Inhibitors

Question 4

Which kinds of joints does RA usually affect?

Answer 4

Small joints of the hands and feet

Question 5

What is Rheumatoid synovitis characterized by?

Answer 5

Inflammatory cell infiltration, synoviocytes proliferation and neoangiogenesis.

Question 6

The synovial fluid in the joint cavity of someone with RA contains what ?

Answer 6

Neutrophils, especially during flares

Question 7

Repeated insults in an individual with RA would lead to what 2 events?

Answer 7

1. Formation of immune complexes (Type II hypersensitivity) and rheumatoid factor
2. Altered citrullination of proteins and breakdown of tolerence resulting in ACPA response and deamination.

Question 8

What is synovitis?

Answer 8

Inflammation of the synovium