Rheumatoid Arthiritis Flashcards
what is rheumatoid arthiritis?
a disease of the synovium with gradual inflammatory joint destruction
what are the different patterns of joint involvement for rheumatoid arthritis?
sero-positive RA (rheumatoid factor present)
sero-negative RA (rhematoid factor NOT present)
what are the symptoms of RA?
- slow onset (usually hands & feet then proximal spread)
- fatigue
- joint stiffness, pain, swelling
- fever etc…
what are early signs of RA?
symmetrical synovitis (warm swelling) of synovial joints
what are the late signs of RA?
fingers & joints:
- hyperflexion
- hyperextension
- deformity & deviations
Joints start to really look deformed
what are some investigations of RA?
Radiographs (erosion, loss of joint space, deformity, etc)
Blood
What are treatments for RA?
- Physio
- Occupational therapy
- Drug therapy (NSAIDs, Steroids, analgesics)
- Surgery (joint replacement, removal of inflamed tissue, osteotomy)
what are the dental aspects of RA?
- Reduced dexterity (oral hygiene/brushing)
- Sjogren’s syndrome (dry mouth)
- Drug effects (oral ulceration, dry mouth, infection risk)
what is seronegative spondyloarthritides (SpA) ?
autoimmune & inflammatory disease, SERO-Negative (Not Rheumatoid arthritis) however has very similar characteristics.
Mainly affects the spine
What are features of seronegative spondyloarthritides?
- inflammation spine & joints
- inflammation of eye & skin/mucous membranes
- infection likely as a precipitant
what is ankylosing spondylitis?
Fusion of vertebrae -> loss of mobility
a type of arthritis (inflammation) that only affects the back and the spine usually
what is treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
usually same as rheumatoid arthirits:
- physio
- analgesia & NSAIDs
- Occupational therapy
- immune modulators etc
- some surgery like joint replacement
