Clinical Aspects of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 1

Give the definition of rheumatoid arthritis:

Answer 1

It is a CHRONIC AUTO IMMUNE SYSTEMIC ILLNESS characterised by a SYMMETRICAL PERIPHERAL ARTHRITIS and other systemic features

one of the commonest chronic illnesses and may be associated with joint damage, disability and premature mortality

Question 2

The RA: Classification 1987 ARA criteria is not critical to remember anymore as is out of date, but what was included in this list?

Answer 2

morning stiffness

arthritis of 3 or more joint areas

arthritis of hand joints

symmetric arthritis

rheumatoid nodules

serum rheumatoid factor

radiographic changes

Question 3

What is the Rheumatoid arthritis, 2010 classification called?

Answer 3

RA: Classification: 2010 EULAR/ ACR

Question 4

what is the prevalence of RA?

Answer 4

approx 1% of population ie approx 4,000 cases in grampian (40,000 in Scotland)

Question 5

what is the incidence of RA?

Answer 5

approx 200 new cases in Grampian per annum

Question 6

what is the male: female ratio of RA?

Answer 6

F:M, 3:1

Question 7

what is the age of onset of RA?

Answer 7

peak age 4th/ 5th decade but may occur any age from 16 years

(moderate incidence and high prevalence)