Clinical Aspects of RA

Question 1

What are some of the general treatments for RA?

Answer 1

Medicines
Injections
Therapies
Surgery

Question 2

What are the four different categories of therapeutics?

Answer 2

NSAIDs
Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Biologics
Coricosteroids (oral, IM, IA)

Question 3

what are the most commonly used DMARDs?

Answer 3

methotrexate
sulfasalazine
hydroxychloroquine
leflunomide

Question 4

give some examples of biologics

Answer 4

TNFa inhibitors
IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra)
anti-B cell therapies (CD20, rituximab)
anti-T cell therapies (abatacept)
IL-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab)

Question 5

what is the eular criteria for RA?

Answer 5

A. Joint involvement

• 1 large joint - 0
• 2-10 large joints - 1
• 1-3 small joints (with/out large joints) - 2
• 4-10 small joints (with/out large joints) - 3
• > 10 joints (at least 1 small joint) - 5

B. Serology

• negative RF and negative ACPA - 0
• low-positive RF or low-positive ACPA - 2
• high-positive RF or high-positive ACPA - 3

C. Acute phase reactants

• normal CRP and normal ESR - 0
• abnormal CRP or abnormal ESR - 1

D. Duration of symptoms

• <6 weeks - 0
• > 6 weeks - 1

Question 6

what are the two components of RA’s aetiology

Answer 6

genetics and environment

Question 7

what investigations should be done for ra

Answer 7

immunology - rheumatoid factor (IgG, IgM), anti cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti CCP, ACPA)

Question 8

symptoms of arthritis

Answer 8

pain
stiffness
immobility
poor function
systemic symptoms

Question 9

clinical signs of arthritis

Answer 9

swelling
tenderness
limitation of movement
redness
heat

Question 10

what are some of the non-specific systemic features of ra

Answer 10

fatigue
weight loss
anaemia