Rheumatoid Arthritis (core) Flashcards
What is the greatest environmental risk factor for RA?
Smoking
How does the timecourse differ in inflammatory arthritis and mechanical arthritis?
Mechanical arthritis takes much longer and develops insipidusly over months
What is reactive arthritis?
Immune complex mediated arthritis and myalgia post acute infection
What is naproxen?
An NSAID commonly used in arthritis’
What does lupus differ from RA on examination?
Synovitis is rarely present in lupus where it’s a feature of RA
Arthralgia is more common in lupus
How are corticosteroids administered in RA?
Oral
Intra-articular
What is the best imaging to assess damage caused by inflammatory arthritis?
MRI
How do you Ix for inflammatory arthritis?
Rheumatoid factor, anti-Citrullinated Protein ab, anti-ANA ab
CRP, ESR
FBE - ?anaemia
MRI
What are the biological DMARDs?
TNF inhibitors - etanercept, infliximab
B cell inhibitor - rituximab
Cell adhesion inhibitor - abatacept
IL-6 inhibitor -Tocilizumab
What are the DMARDs?
Hydrochloroquine
Sulphasalazine
Methotrexate
Leflunomide
What are some DDx for pain and stiffness in small joints of the hands?
RA
Reactive arthritis
Lupus
How has the methods of RA treatment changed?
Start with combination (methotrexate, sulphasalazine, hydroxychloroquine)
Then wean to maintenance therapy
What is ACR20?
Clinical (patient and physician opinion) and radiological evaluation of treatment efficacy for a overall 20% improvement
How in RA treated pharmacologically?
Analgesic
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
What is the combination therapy for RA?
Methotrexate
Hydroxylchloroquine
Sulphasalazine
