Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
What is RA?
An autoimmune condition leading to inappropriate immune system activity causing synovial and connective tissue inflammation
What are the consequences of inflammation seen in RA? (4)
- Loss of cartilage
- Formation of scar tissue
- Ligament laxity
- Tendon contractures
What are the 3 key symptoms present in RA that would help you distinguish it from OA?
- Affected joints are symmetrical
- Duration of morning stiffness >1 hour (gets better throughout the day)
- Presence of systemic symptoms, especially during flares
Joint damage occurs early in the course of RA. Damage is ____________, and __________ ____ follows
irreversible; functional loss
Looking at an RA hand, for example, what are 4 things you’d see that stand out (especially in intermediate to late stages)?
- Thumb curving outward (tendon contracture)
- Ulnar drift (fingers curving towards outer side of hand)
- Valley forming between tendons due to muscular atrophy
- Rheumatoid nodules
How are blood vessels affected in RA? (5)
Only treatment is?
- Rheumatoid vasculitis
- Occurs with severe, long-standing RA
- Leads to substantial morbidity
- Can affect any blood vessel
- Symptoms experienced depend on affected vessels
- Only treatment: Aggressive treatment of RA itself
How are lungs affected in RA? (5)
- Pleuritis
- Pleural effusion
- Fibrosis
- Pulmonary nodules
- Drugs used to treat RA may also impact lung function
How are the eyes affected in RA? (4)
- Episcleritis
- Scleritis
- Uveritis and iritis
- Painful, visual acuity loss
How is the heart affected in RA? (3)
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Increase risk of CAD, HF, and Afib
How are the muscles affected in RA? (3)
- Generalized weakness and pain
- From synovial inflammation, myositis, vasculitis
- Steroid-induced
How are bones affected in RA? (2)
- Osteopenia common
- Local bone loss around affected joints
How is skin affected in RA? (3)
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Ulcers
- Steroid-induced changes
What are 3 lab test findings that could be indicative of RA?
- Rheumatoid factor (in 60-70% of patients though)
- Elevated ESR and CRP
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)
The biggest goal in RA treatment is achieving remission or low disease activity. What 5 criteria define that?
- A patient assessment of global disease activity (PtGA) ≤2
- Tender/swollen joint count ≤1
- A measure of function based on the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)
- CRP score ≤1
- A physician global assessment ≤2
What are the 4 general principles of RA management?
- Early recognition and diagnosis
- Early use of DMARDs
- Within 3 months - Concept of “tight control”
- Responsible NSAID and glucocorticoid use
The most important non-pharm therapy for RA is?
Patient education
What are the 3 classes of RA maintenance medications?
- Traditional DMARDS (tDMARDS)
- Biologic DMARDs
- Synthetic DMARDs - not used much atm
What are the 2 classes of RA flare management medications?
- Corticosteroids
- NSAIDs/Analgesia
What are the 4 general characterstics shared between the tDMARDs?
- Slow onset of action
- Controls symptoms
- May delay or stop progression of disease
- Requires regular monitoring
What are the 4 tDMARDs we discussed?
- METHOTREXATE - most important
- Hydroxycholoroquine
- Sulfasalazine
- Leflunomide
What is the MOA of hydroxychloroquine?
Inhibits neutrophils and chemotaxis; impairs complement system
What is the MOA of sulfasalazine? (2)
- Prodrug metabolized into 5-ASA and sulfapyridine
- Modulates mediators of inflammatory response; may inhibit TNF
What is the MOA of methotrexate?
Anti-folate –> less DNA synthesis, repair, cellular replication and immune response
What is the MOA of leflunomide? (2)
- Inhibits pyrimidine synthesis, leading to anti-inflammatory effects
- Modulates many signaling pathways