Mod 3-3 Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is Rheumatoid arthritis?
A chronic systemic disease of unknown cause that is primarily seen as a non-infectious inflammatory arthritis of the small joints of hands and feet.
RA affects females __ times ____ than males.
three; more
What is the juvenile form of rheumatoid arthritis?
Still’s disease
Who has the highest incidence rate of RA? What is the peak?
Women between the ages of 20 and 60. Peak being 35 and 45 years of age.
What is the definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A multi-system chronic, relapsing, inflammatory process; most commonly manifest as a severe form of synovitis that sometimes lead to the destruction and ankylosis of affected joints.
What is ankylosis?
abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones.
What is synovitis?
inflammation of a synovial membrane.
Besides joints, what else can RA affect?
Internal organs
What is synovium?
Inner lining of the articular capsule that surrounds all of the freely moving joints of the body (joints of finger, toe, knee, wrist etc…)
What can uncontrolled and chronic RA lead to?
Severe destruction of joints and bony ankylosis.
What is the etiology of RA?
Cause is unknown, but is thught to be an autoimmune disease.
What percent of patients with RA have a circulating autoantibody called the rheumatoid factor (RF)?
80%
Is it known what triggers the autoimmune reaction and then fosters a remission in RA?
No, it is not known but has been the focus of much research.
RA is a non-infectious disease that may either have a ________ and _________ course or undergo spontaneous ________.
protracted; progressive; remission.
What are some extra-articular structures that are affected by RA?
Skin, respiratory tract, and blood vessels.
how does the disease (RA) progress?
Symmetric involvement of multiple joints progressing proximally toward the trunk until almost every joint in the body is involved.
What joints are primarily affected by RA?
Proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal articulations.
What are some beginning clinical manifestations?
Malaise, fatigue, non-localized musculoskeletal pain and sometimes a low grade fever.
What comes later in RA?
Joint involvement with local swelling, redness and pain.
When is stiffness more likely?
When arising each morning or following periods of inactivity.
What may develop later with RA?
Deformities may develop such as radial deviation of the wrist and ulnar deviation of the fingers.
RA progresses ________.
insidiously (gradually)
RA usually develops in ___ stages.
4
What is the first stage of RA?
Synovitis - Inflammation followed by an overgrowth of the synovial membrane that lines the joints.
