RA overview Flashcards
What happens in autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system is dysregulated, leading to a loss of self-tolerance and attacking the body’s own tissues.
What are autoimmune disorders associated with?
Autoimmune disorders are associated with a broad range of diseases affecting different organs and systems in the body.
What factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases may result from multiple interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
Name an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects multiple organs.
Which autoimmune disease affects the blood?
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia affects the blood.
What autoimmune disease affects the endocrine system?
Type 1 diabetes affects the endocrine system.
What autoimmune disease affects the nervous system?
Multiple sclerosis affects the nervous system.
Which autoimmune disease affects the bones and joints?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the bones and joints.
What are common clinical features of autoimmune rheumatic diseases?
Common features include malaise, fatigue, weight loss, myalgia, arthritis, and anemia of chronic disease.
What is the 2010 ACR/EULAR criterion for diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
RA is based on synovitis in at least one joint, no better alternative diagnosis, and a score of at least 6 from factors like involved joints, serological tests, and symptom duration.
What is the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) diagnostic criteria for RA?
RA diagnosis is based on persistent joint inflammation in at least three joints, including the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints, and morning stiffness lasting at least 30 minutes.
What is the prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the UK?
The prevalence of RA is 0.81% in the UK, with 1.16% for women and 0.44% for men.
What are some predisposing factors for RA?
Hormonal deficiencies, environmental triggers (e.g., smoking, infections), and genetic factors (e.g., HLA-DRB1) are associated with the development of RA.
How does RA evolve from genetic predisposition to chronic inflammation?
RA evolves from genetic/environmental predisposition, early immune activation, synovitis, synovial hyperplasia, joint destruction, to chronic inflammation.
What is the role of autoantibodies in RA?
Autoantibodies like rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) may be detectable long before symptoms and contribute to synovial inflammation.
What are some extra-articular manifestations of RA?
Extra-articular manifestations may include symptoms affecting the skin, lungs, eyes, and heart.
What are some common clinical manifestations of advanced RA?
Advanced RA causes chronic joint pain, stiffness, deformities (e.g., swan neck deformity), and loss of joint mobility.
What is the role of DMARDs in treating RA?
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate slow disease progression, control inflammation, and prevent joint damage in RA.
How is RA disease activity measured?
RA activity is measured using DAS28, which calculates disease activity based on joint tenderness, swelling, and inflammatory markers.
What is the prognosis for untreated RA?
Untreated RA leads to rapid decline in quality of life, increased morbidity, and reduced life expectancy by 3–18 years.
