DMARDs and Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
1.overview of RA 2.criteria for dignaosis of RA 3.basic management 4. NICE guidelines 5.Convential DMARDS 6.Biologicals
prevelance
total NUMBER of cases of a disease in a population at a certain moment in time.
incidence
number of new cases occurring in a population over a defined time interval
UK prevelance of RA
400,000
UK incidence of RA
12,000
what areas of body are affected in RA? (reason it is more serious than OA)
- small joints of hands + feet = carpals + MCP + MTP
- tendon sheaths
- systemic inflammation - heart, lungs, kidneys, skin
which joint in the hand is usually spared in RA?
DIP (distal interphalangial) joint
Does RA present symmetrically or asymmetrically + why ?
RA- symmetrical - autoimuune disease - inflammation - occurs on BOTH sides of the body
why is treatment for RA agressive?
severity of symptoms if left untreated:
- hands + feet severly deformed
- systemic effect - IHD, CKD
- larger joints affected - shoulder, hips, knees
- premature mortality
4 diagnositic features for RA?
- affects small joints
- pain >6wks
- symmetrical
- seropostive for RF
What score for 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria qualifies RA diagnosis?
score ≥ 6/10
What is the aim of RA treatment?
- prevent sever joint deformity (slow progression of disease)
- prevent flare ups
What are the 2 types of drugs invovled in management of RA?
- DMARDs - disease modifying anti rheumatics
- Pain relief
- analgesics= NSAIDs, corticosteroids
Management of newly diagnosised RA
NICE guidelines - high dosage DMARD combination therapy (symptoms >3mths)
What is the significance of having aggreesvie high dosage DMARD intially?
- controls RA + prevent progression
- 5yr- no DMARD = 60% patients = severe joint deformity
- DMARD =<10% patients = severe joint deformity
(observable on X-ray - bone erosion + joint instability)
What is the management of RA if DMARDs combmination theraphy is not tolerated?
DMARD monotheraphy
cases - comorbidities + pregnancy (avoid MTX)
What are the 2 groups of DMARDs
- conventential
2. biologicals
List the 6 convential DMARDs
- methotrexate (MTX)
- leflunomide
- hydrochoroquine
- sulfasalazine
- azathioprine
- gold salts
Gold standard for RA from conventential DMARDs
methotroxate
METHOTREXATE (MTX)
- MOA
- dosage
- administration
- Side effects
- Time before benefits seen
- folic acid antagonist in ALL ACTIVELY DIVIDING cells
- 2.5mg tablets (intially 5-10mg) 1.pw
- oral /SC or IM injection
- affects haemtopoesis + liver function - affects all actively dividng cells - bone marrow + liver
- 3-12 wks
Describe MOA of methotrexate
hint-slide 8
- enters cell via A.T through folic acid transporter
- glutamination of MTX
- directly inhibits DIHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE- prevents formation: dihydrofolic acid - tetrahydrofolic acid - block purine biodynthesis - blocks RNA synthesis
- indirectly inhibits THYMIDYLATE SYNTHESASE -blocks DNA synthesis
What treatment is methotrexate also involved in?
- chemotherapy
2. abortions
SULFASALAZINE
- special use*
1. MOA
2. dosage
3. administration
4. Side effects
5. Time before benefits seen
- special use* - treat systemic effects of RA
1. remains in L.I - metabolism to 5ASA -treats ULCERATIVE COLITIS
2. 500mg daily
3. oral- tablet
4. haemolytic anaemia
5. 12 wks
Why does sulfasalazine remain in the large intestine?
metabolite 5ASA (5-aminosalicylic acid) =poorly absorbed into bloodstream
Activation of which Th cell causes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines?
Th17 in lamina propria