Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 1

What are differences in symptoms between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis ?

Answer 1

Osteoarthritis: pain is worse with use and improves with rest. With RA, pain is worse in morning and improves as activity increases

Question 2

Is a erythrocyte sedimentation rate test sensitive or specific for inflammation?

Answer 2

Is a generalized test, is sensitive but not specific

Question 3

What is C reactive protein?

Answer 3

Acute phase protein made in response to tissue protein from liver

Question 4

What are 4 key autoantibody tests?

Answer 4

1. Rheumatoid factor (Rf) - but can be found in other diseases
2. Anti-CCP which may also have a role in RA pathogensis, is more specific
3. ANA, reacts with antigens in nucleus.
4. ANCA, reacts with cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils ; different patterns for different vasculitis

Question 5

What disease does C3 and C4 levels correlate with?

Answer 5

Lupus