Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 1

There are two types of rheumatoid diseases (articular and non articular). What is each type composed of?

Answer 1

• Articular composes of inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis, SPA, and other) and degenerative (hand, large joints and spine)
• Non-articular composes of generalised and local

Question 2

RA always affects ___ joints +/- ____ joints. It is always sym_______

Answer 2

small
large
symmetrical

Question 3

Rheumatoid arthritis usually has a ___ onset over ____ to months. SOME (15-20%) have a more ___ onset that develops over ___ to weeks. About (8-15%) have ____ onset of symptoms that develop over days

Answer 3

slow
weeks
rapid
 days
acute

Question 4

What are some RA non joint features?

Answer 4

• Nodules
• Sicca (dry eyes/ mouth)
• Eyes
• Others (uncommon)

Question 5

Causes of RA?

Answer 5

• Genetic (complex) due to HLA gene

- Trigger (infection/virus/ injury)

Question 6

If RA is left untreated, it can lead to

Answer 6

Disability
Damage
Deformity
Death

Question 7

Treatment and prognosis of RA

Answer 7

• NSAIDS
• Steroids
• Slow acting disease modifying drugs
• Biologic disease modifying drugs
• SURGERY!

Question 8

Surgical intervention methods include:

Disadvantages are:

Answer 8

• Removal of inflamed synovium
• arthroplasty
• high risk procedures
• questionable outcomes

Question 9

Other inflammatory rheumatoid diseases other than RA?

Answer 9

UNCOMMON but SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

• Systemic lupus (SLE)
• Scleroderma
• Myositis
• Vasculitis

Question 10

SLE is an

Answer 10

autoimmune disease of the body’s connective tissues. It affects the tissues throughout the body

Question 11

SLE can affect any joints but the most common spots are the:

Answer 11

wrists, knees and hands.

Question 12

What is the frequency and duration of the pain associated with SLE?

Answer 12

Can come and go, or can be long lasting.

Question 13

In SLE, the ___ tissues surrounding the joints are often ______. But there is NO EXCESS ____.

Answer 13

soft
swollen
fluid

Question 14

Lupus can also affect the nervous system causing:

Answer 14

headaches
seizures
organic brain syndrome

Question 15

What is the most common degenerative articular rheumatic disease

Answer 15

Osteoarthritis

Question 16

What is osteoarthritis characterised by?

Answer 16

progressive loss of cartilage and reaction changes at the margins of the join and in the subchrondal bone

Question 17

Osteoporosis:

• In early disease, pain occurs only after ____ use and is relieved by ____
• As the disease progresses, pain occurs with minimal _____ or even at ____
• _______ pain is commonly associated with severe disease

Answer 17

joint
rest
motion
rest
nocturnal

Question 18

Treatments and prognosis of degenerative joint disease:

What is the problem with this for osteoarthritis?

Answer 18

• Meds
• Early PT/ exercises
• Heat/ cold therapy
• Joint protection
• Surgery

Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressive disease. The eventual outcome is complete destruction of the joint, and ultimately surgical intervention is required.

Question 19

Name a generalised non articular rheumatoid disorder.

Answer 19

Fibromyalgia syndrome

Question 20

Name a local non articular rheumatoid disorder.

Answer 20

Tendonitis

Soft tissue rheumatism