RA - Block 1 Flashcards
Women are ___ as more likely to develop RA?
twice
What is the leading cause of death in patients with RA?
CV disease
What type of disease is RA?
Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that affects the body’s joints & synovium that is a common comorbid of autoimmune conditions
What are genetic factors of RA?
- Genetic polymorphisms
- Patiets with 1st degree relatives with RA
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone)
What are the nongenetic facotrs of RA?
- Smoking
- Coffee
- Obesity
- Occupational hazard (silica)
- Viral infection (Epstein-Barr)
What antibody to IgG has a strong corrleation with poor RA prognosis?
Rheumatoid factor (RF)
What is a common B cells inflammaotry cytokine associated with RA?
Tumor necrosis factor:
1. Induction of adhesion molecules to the endothelium
1. Boosting T cell proliferation & differentiation
1. Promoting cell migration
1. Regulating matrix modeling
What is the inflamed, fibrotic synovium observed in patients with RA?
Pannus
Inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-8, prostaglandins, VEGF) promote angiogenesis, which stimulates additional migration of innate & adaptive immune responses to the synovium resulting in?
Inflammation
Inflammatory cytokines can circulate in the bone tissue & promote osteoclast activity/differentiation, resulting in?
Bone destruction
Compare and contrast OA with RA?
What are the sx of RA?
- Joint involvement
- Extra-articular involvement
What are joint sx with RA?
- Bilatteral
- Warthm and swelling (+/- pain)
- Morning stiffness (≥30 min in duration)
- Sx ≥6 weeks
What are extra articular sx of RA?
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Decreased mood
What is are the lab findings of RA?
- ESR and CRP (non-specifity inflammatory process)
- RF
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
What lab result is more specifc for RA in early stages?
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
What are the radiographic presentations of RA?
- Soft tissue swelling
- Joint space narrowing
What is the criteria of scoring RA?
Total score of ≥ 6 out of 10 points -> meets diagnostic criteria for RA
Not all patients with RA may score > 6 on the initial assessment, but scores may progress over time.
What are Current ACR & EULAR guidelines for RA?
Treat-to-target approach
What is the overall goal of treating RA?
Disease remission
What is the tx approach for RA?
Under the supervision of rheumatologist:
1. Includes non-pharmacologic & pharmacologic therapies
2. Focused on reducing inflammation & symptoms (i.e., joint pain, stiffness)
3. Does not reverse previously established joint damage
4. Slows RA progression -> reducing irreversible joint damage, disability, while improving quality of life
Non-pharm tx for RA?
- Exercise
- Weight loss
- Referral to occupational and physical therapy
- Referral to psychiatry
- Referral to social work
- Comprehensive patient education
- Surgery
What are the pharm tx for RA?
- Traditional DMARDs (methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine)
- Biologic DMARDs (Anti-TNF, Non TNF biologics)
- Janus Kinase Inhibitors (tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib)
- Adjunt tx (NSAIDs, CS)