Rheumatoid Arthritis/Test 4 Flashcards
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- a chronic, systemic diease
- inflammation of connective tissue in the diarthrodial (synovial) joints
- remission and exacerbation periods
- it affects all ethnic groups, occur at any time of life, women are affected more frequently than men.
- thought to be an autoimmune disease
- environment and familial factors may affect it.
- Smoking appears to be linked to both disease development and severity
Pathophysiology
- A triggering event starts the process-some report history of precipitating stressful event: Infection, work stress, physical exertion, childbirth, surgery, emotional upset
- formation of abnormal immunoglobulin G (IgG)
- Autoantibodies (Rheumatoid factor) form in response to IgG
- RF and IgG form immune complexes that deposit on synovial membranes or articular cartilage in joints
- As this process attracks more WBC’s the process becomes chronic
4 Stages of RA
1- early- synovitis (inflammation)
2- moderate- pannus formation (granulation)
3- severe- fibrous ankylosis (adhesions, union of joint surface)
4- terminal- bony ankylosis (must prevent)
S/S RA
- early, progressive and late- correlate with stages
- articular
- generalized systemic
RA usually affects joints…
symmetrically (on both sides equally), may initially begin in a couple of joints only, and most frequently attacks the wrists, hands, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles
Clinical Manifestations: Early/progressive/articular signs:
- onset insidious
* without treatment, joint destruction begins as early as the first year of disease
S/S of RA
- inflammation
- warmth, swelling, tenderness
- multiple symmetrical joint involvement
- joint stiffness after periods of inactivity
- Morning stiffness
- Joint pain, stiffness, limitation of motion
- joint pain with motion
- difficulty grasping objects
Later Articular Signs RA:
- parasthesia
- color changes of digits (bluish, rubor, pallor)
- decreased joint mobility
- Contracture (flexion usually)
- subluxation (a partial or incomplete dislocation)
- dislocation
- Increasing pain
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Deformity and disability -swan neck- boutonniere
Generalized Systemic Signs: Early-
(May precede the onset of arthritic complaints)- non-specific manifestations- fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, generalized stiffness
Generalize systemic signs: late-
- pallor
- anemia
- muscle weakness and atrophy
- cardiopulmonary
Siogren’s (“Show Grins”)
*Diminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretion
Felty Sydrome:
*Inflammatory eye disorders
Other Systemic Signs
- Burning, gritty, itchy eyes
- Photosensitivity
- Splenomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
- Pulmonary disease
- Blood dyscrasias
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Granulocytopenia
Complications of RA:
- Without treatment, joint destruction begins as early as the first year of the disease
- Flexion contractures and hand deformities
- Nodular myositis and muscle fiber degeneration (pain)
- Cataract development and loss of vision
- Rheumatoid nodule ulceration
- nodules on vocal cords
Cardiopulmonary effects:
- pleurisy
- pleural effusion
- pericarditis
- pericardial effusion and cardiomyopathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (neuromuscular involvement)