Rheumatoid Athritis Flashcards
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s tissues, primarily affecting joints.
What percentage of the population is affected by RA?
Approximately 1%.
What are the primary symptoms of RA?
Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, depression, and systemic inflammation.
Name two major comorbidities of RA.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mental health issues (depression and anxiety).
How does RA increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)? (Kitas and Gabriel, 2011)
Through systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, physical inactivity,hypertension and hypercholestrolemia.
What are the primary treatment options for RA?
Medications: DMARDs, biologics, steroids, and NSAIDs.
Physical activity: Aerobic and resistance exercises.
What are the main barriers to exercise for RA patients?
Pain, fatigue, fear of exacerbating symptoms, and lack of access to facilities.
What are Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)?
Medications like methotrexate that reduce disease activity in RA.
What is the role of aerobic and resistance training in RA management?
Aerobic training improves cardiorespiratory fitness, and resistance training enhances muscle strength and joint stability.
What is DAS28?
A measure used to assess RA disease activity and severity.
Above 5 is high disease Activity
Above 2.6 is Low disease activity
Below 2.6 no disease
What are common inflammation markers monitored in RA?
C-reactive protein (CRP): Indicates inflammation.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): Another inflammation marker.
What improvements were observed in the Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou et al. (2013) exercise study?
Significant improvement in VO2max, reduced disease activity (DAS28), enhanced functional ability (HAQ), and improved cardiovascular risk factors.
What were the key findings from Veldhuijzen van Zanten et al. (2019) on exercise vs. anti-TNF therapy?
Both interventions reduced DAS28 and CRP levels.
Exercise improved vascular function, while anti-TNF therapy reduced systemic inflammation but did not improve vascular function.
What is the significance of CRP and ESR in RA?
Elevated levels of CRP and ESR indicate active inflammation in RA.
How can RA patients overcome barriers to exercise?
Through education, structured programs, support groups, and strategies to enhance self-efficacy. (Veldhuijzen Van Zanten 2015)
