Drugs for Arthritis Disorders & Osteoporosis Flashcards
What is arthritis?
-A general term that refers to a group of more than 100 disorders affecting the joints
-Inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joint
What are different types of arthritis?
-Osteoarthritis
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Psoriatic arthritis
-Gout
-Ankylosing spondylitis
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
-Autoimmune disorder
-The body’s immune system attacks the joints
What are signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
-Often affects joints symmetrically
-Commonly affects wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles
-Usually starts at middle age
-Joints may be swollen, warm, and puffy
-Morning stiffness > 30 minutes
-Systemic inflammation
-Pain worse after periods of inactivity
-May be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and weight loss
What drugs can be used to treat RA?
-Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS)
-NSAIDs
-Corticosteroids
-Biologic agents
What is osteoarthritis?
-Degenerative disorder
-Wear and tear of the joint cartilage
What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?
-Usually affects weight bearing joints (hips, knees, spine)
-Usually starts at middle age or older adults
-Morning stiffness < 30 minutes
-Reduced ROM
-Inflammation localized to affected joint
-No systemic symptoms
What drugs can be used to treat osteoarthritis?
-Acetaminophen
-NSAIDs
-PT
-Weight management
-Joint injections
-Surgery
What is typically the first-line treatment for pain relief in osteoarthritis?
Acetaminophen
What is the most significant concern with high doses of acetaminophen?
Liver toxicity
What are common side effects from acetaminophen?
-Nausea or vomiting
-Loss of appetite
-Allergic reactions like skin rash, itching, or hives
What is the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen?
4,000mg for adults but lower limits are often recommended
What are the most common NSAIDs used for osteoarthritis?
-Ibuprofen
-Naproxen sodium
-Celecoxib
-Diclofenac
-Meloxicam
What is the mechanism of action of hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis?
-Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide similar to the natural joint fluid that lubricates the joint
-When injected into the joint, it acts as a lubricant and shock absorber
-Helps to reduce pain and friction in the joint
What are the side effects of hyaluronic acid injections?
-Pain at the injection site
-Joint stiffness
-Headache
What is the mechanism of action of chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis?
-Chondroitin sulfate is one of the building blocks of cartilage
-It is believed to help prevent the breakdown of cartilage and stimulate its repair mechanism
-Also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and improve the consistency of synovial fluid
What are side effects of chondroitin sulfate?
-Stomach pain
-Nausea
-Diarrhea
-Constipation
-Headache
-Swelling of the eyelids or legs
What are physical therapy considerations when working with patients with osteoarthritis that are taking medication?
-Medication schedule
-Monitor for overuse
-Educate on medication limits
-Check for side effects
-Patient feedback
What is the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis?
1% of the population and is more common in women
What is the pathogenesis of RA?
-Antigen presenting cells process and present antigens to T cells, which may stimulate B cells to produce antibodies and osteoclasts to destroy and remove bone
-Macrophages stimulated by immune response can stimulate T cells and osteoclasts to promote inflammation
-Activated T cells and macrophages release factors that promote tissue destruction, increase blood flow, and result in cellular invasion of synovial tissue and fluid
What are the main pro-inflammatory cytokines that are involved in the pathogenesis of RA?
-Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
-Tumor necrosis factor-⍺ (TNF-⍺)
What is the difference between traditional Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and targeted DMARDs?
-Traditional DMARDs restrict your immune system broadly
-Targeted DMARDs block precise pathways inside immune cells
How are biologic drugs produced? How do they work?
-Produced by living cells
-Work on individual immune proteins called cytokines
What is the general strategy of biologic drugs for RA?
-Inhibit autoimmune response underlying RA
-Inhibition of cytokines
-Inhibit cellular activation
What is the mechanism of action of Methotrexate for RA?
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, which reduces nucleotide synthesis
What are the adverse effects of Methotrexate?
-Hepatic fibrosis
-Rash
-Thrombocytopenia
-Leukopenia
What is the mechanism of action of hydroxychloroquine for RA? What are the adverse effects?
-Not well understood
-Thought to be an immunomodulator
-Retinal damage
-Rash