RA And OA

Question 1

What is rheumatoid arthritis? What puts a person at risk?

Answer 1

A chronic systemic autoimmune disease
- Female
- genetics
-smoking

Question 2

Patho for RA?

Answer 2

• an autoimmune reaction occurs in the synovial tissue
• synovium breaks down collagen causing edema and ultimately pan us formation
• pannus destroys cartilage and erodes the bone causing loss of joint motion

Question 3

What are the clinical manifestations of RA?

Answer 3

• needs at least 6 or greater for diagnosis
• bilateral symmetric joint pain
• morning joint stiffness lasting longer than 1 hour
• swelling
• warmth
• erythema
• lack of function
  -spongy or boggy tissue
• Deformities of the hands and feet are common
  Swan neck deformity
  Ulnar deviation

Question 4

What lab test can help to diagnose RA?

Answer 4

Rheumatoid factor may be present but can not be diagnostic alone
AntiCCP
- ESR and CRP tend to be elevated - detect inflammation
- monitor liver and kidney function when on DMARD therapy

Question 5

Treatment for RA?

Answer 5

Goal is to decrease joint pain and swelling
- achieve clinical remission, decrease the likelihood of joint deformity and