Rheumatoid arthritis

Question 1

Definition of Reumatoid Arthritis

Answer 1

Chronic symmetric, erosive synovitis of peripheral joints, essentially
inflammatory joint disease with erosion of articular cartilage and bone

Question 2

Symptoms of Reumatoid Arthritis

Answer 2

-General : Pain, swelling, morning stiffness which improves with mobility

-Systemic: fever, fatigue, weight loss

-Extra-articular manifestations: myocarditis, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, splenomegaly, amyloidosis, rheumatoid nodules in skin.

*Deformities: ulnar finger deviation, swan neck, boutonniere

Question 3

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer 3

Blood work, imaging:
-Scoring criteria where you asses (A) Joint involvement (B) Serology
for antibodies (C) Acute phase reactants (D) Duration, within these
categories if you score 6/10 you have RA, x-ray and U/S.

-Serology : Positive Rheumatoid Factor (IgM antibody) anti-CCP antibody
(anti-citrullinated peptide antibody ** more specific!), CRP, ESR

Question 4

Treatment of Reumatoid Arthritis

Answer 4

NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, DMARDs (MTX, sulfasalazine,
hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide), biologics (ie inflixmab, etanercept,
adalimumab, golimumab, rituximab) .