rheumatoid arthritis Flashcards
is RA seropositive or seronegative?
seropositive
what is inflammatory arthritis?
clearly defined group of conditions where the joint or tendon is inflamed
how does RA present?
- morning stiffness in small joints (usually hands and feet)
- reduction in grip strength
- rapid onset
- swelling of affected joints
- usually symmetrical
who is more affected men or women?
women 3x more affected than men
what type of joints are usually affected by RA?
synovial joint
what are some triggers to RA?
- smoking
- stress
- infection
how to diagnose RA?
- clinical diagnosis (morning stiffness <30 mins)
- 6 or >6= definite RA of 2010 ACR/EULAR
- positive compression tests of MCP and MTP joints
- anti CCP antibody (99%) or RF factor (70%)
what antibodies can be tested for in RA?
rheumatoid factor
Anti-CCP
however, not all patients with RA have this
RF 70% sensitive
Anti-CCP 99% sensitive
what antibody is more likely found in a patient who smoked and has RA?
Anti-CCP
What will be seen on an Xray of a patient with early RA?
- can be normal
- soft tissue swelling
- periarticular osteopenia
what will be seen on an Xray of a patient with late RA?
- erosions
- subluxation
what can be seen on an ultrasound of a patient with RA?
- erosions in joint
- increased synovial fluid and thickening (dark)
what investigation is best for looking for erosions?
ultrasound
what is gold standard investigation for looking at joint pathology?
MRI scan
what are some extra-articular manifestations of RA?
- dry eyes, dry mouth
- lymphadenopathy
- pericarditis, myocarditis
- interstitial fibrosis, pleuritis
- amyloidosis, renal failure
- rheumatoid nodules in the skin
- myositis
- tenosynovitis
- rheumatoid vasculitis
- peripheral edema