RA Flashcards
RA prodromal symptoms
- fatigue, fever, weakness, weight loss, myalgias
RA disease flares and trigger
- trigger: viral inf
- sudden inc in signs/symptoms, last days to months
- established disease. is greater than 6 months
RA signs and symptoms
- Symmetric swelling of hands, wrist, ankles, feet; inflammation, warm over joints, nodules, grip weakness, deformity, muscle atrophy
- occurs w/ use or at rest; joint pain w/ stiffness lasting >6 wks, prodromal symptoms, dec range of motion, joint deformity
RA extra-articular involvement
rheumatoid nodeules
pulmonary complications
vasculitis
ocular manifestations
cardiac issues
hematologic involvement
lymphadenopathy
amyloidosis
osteoporosis
RA diagnosis
Labs: Inc ESR/CRP, rheumatoid factor, ACPAs, ANAs
ACR/EULAR criteria
- identifies early signs and symptoms
- 4 domains: joint involvement, serology, acute phase reactants, duration of symptoms
Distinguishing RA from OA
- age: variable (peds and elderly)
- onset: gradual or sudden
- joint symptoms: generalized
- Joint involvement: small joints of hands, wrist and feet
- joint stiffness: prolonged >1hr
- joint pain: with or w/o use
- symmetry: bilateral
- auto-ab: present
Non-disease modifying therapy components and goals
- for symptom relief
- need combo with DMARDs
- improve/maintain functional status
- slow destructive joint changes
- achieve disease remission/ low disease activity
Non pharm options
- Rest, weight loss, pain coping skills
- Physical occupation therapy (assisted devices)
- severe: surgery
Non- disease modifying drugs
- nsaids
- corticosteriods (low doses can be used long term for refractory disease)
what to do in RA patient w/ mod-high disease with prior csDMARD use other than MTX
switch to MTX mono
which DMARD to start with LOW disease activity
Hydroxycholorquine > sulfasalazine> Mthotrextate> Lefluonomide
which DMARD to start with HIGH disease activity
Methotrexate
what to do in RA patient w/ mod-high disease who is on oral MTX and not at target
Switch to subQ methotrexate
what to do in RA patient w/ mod-high disease w/o poor prognostic factors / patient preference
add another csDMARD