RA Flashcards
what is ra
chornic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease
symmetric ad erosive polyarthritis
causes pain stiffness and fatigue
if not treated appropriatelu can result in joitn destruction and severe disability
some of the things happening in the joint
inflamed tendon
bone erosion
lots of inflammatory cells
thinning of cartilage
bref pathophys
form antibodies called rheumatoid factors
anticitrullinated protein antibody is produced
complex interaction of intra and extraellular molecules
onset
25-50yrs
cevelops rapidly
joints affected
hand
are there systemic symptoms present
yes
and notable lab changes or radiograph
ESR/CRP
RF/antiCCO
joint space narrowing
erosions (OA you see osteophytes)
differences in pain/stiffness between OA and RA
OA: worsened by activity, stiffness lasts <1hr in the morning
RA: pain decreased with activity, tenderness is common, stiffness in the morning lasts >1hr
difference in the radiograph between OA and RA
OA: there are osteophytes, the bones rubs together because of the thinned cartilage
RA: bone erosion, swollen inflammed synovial membane
risk factors
genetic predisposition exposure to unknown environmental factors age gender obesity smoking
what is early RA
symptoms of less than 3 months duration
what is established RA
have symptoms due to inflammation or joint dmaage
why is the time of diagnosis crucial
joint damage begins within 2 years of symptoms
early diagnosis is within 6months of the onset of joint symptoms
diagnosing criteria - joint involvement
one medium to large joint = 0 2-10 medium to large joints =1 1-3 small joints = 2 four to ten small joints = 3 more than 10 joints (at least one small) = 5
diagnosing criteria - serology
negative RF and negative anti CCP = 0
low + RF and low + antiCCP = 2
high + RF or high + anti CCP = 3
diagnosing criteria - acute phase reactants
normal CRP and normal ESR = 0
abnormal CRP or ESR = 1
diagnosing criteria - duration of symptoms
<6week = 0
6 weeks or more = 1
what are the criteria for diagnosing RA
must have 6 or more points
symptoms of RA
joint pain and stiffness >6weeks stiffness lasts >1hr fatigue, weaknes,, fever muscle pain and afternoon fatigue joint deformity later symmetrical joitn involvement tenderness warmth and swelling over joints nodules
challenges to lab tests
normal >30% of the time
RF and anti CCP not detectable in everyone
compare RF + anti CCP to CRP + ESR
RF and anti CCP + patients have a worse prognosis
CRP and ESR are not specific to rheumatoid arthritis
other potential diagnostic tests
joitn aspiration fluid - increased WBC without infection, crystals
joint radiographs - periarticular osteo, joint space narrowing, erosions
goals of therapy*
control symptoms and halt progression
50% improvement in 3 months and clinical remission
alleviate pain, stiffness, fatigue
maintain physical function and work capacity
what does DMARD stand for
non biologic diseas emodifying antirheumatic drugs
role of methotrexate
most effective
first line for all levels of disease activity
mtx onset
4-6 weeks
mtx safety
best side effect to efficacy ratio
stomatitis, nausea, diarrhea, alopecia - give folic acid
avoid sig alcohol
teratogenic
when would sq mtx be recommended
GI intolerant
lose benefit over time