Rheumatoid arthritis 1 2.0

Question 1

When do autoimmune diseases occur?

Answer 1

when there is dysregulation of the immune system with loss of self-tolerance

Question 2

What are some systems that autoimmune diseases can affect?

Answer 2

Organs, blood, digestive, endocrine, nervous, bones and joints

Question 3

Autoimmune disease that affects the endocrine system?

Answer 3

T1 diabetes

Question 4

Autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system?

Answer 4

Multiple sclerosis

Question 5

Autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system?

Answer 5

Crohns disease

Question 6

Autoimmune disease that affects the bones and joints?

Answer 6

Rheumatoid arthritis

Question 7

Characteristics of RA?

Answer 7

Condition of inflammation of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, swelling

Question 8

Clinical features common to all autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

Answer 8

Malaise, fatigue, weight loss, arthritis, myalgia

Question 9

What is myalgia?

Answer 9

Muscle aches and pain

Question 10

What can cause malaise, fatigue, weight loss?

Answer 10

Inflammation

Question 11

What is malaise?

Answer 11

General feeling of discomfort/illness/unease whose cause is difficult to pinpoint

Question 12

Immunological feature common to all autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

Answer 12

Presence of disease specific autoantibodies

Question 13

Which antibody is RA associated with?

Answer 13

Rheumatoid factor/ antiCCP antibody

Question 14

Which antibody is Sjogrens associated with?

Answer 14

anti Ro or anti La antibodies

Question 15

Physical features of joints of someone with RA?

Answer 15

Puffy swelling, squidgy, hot, red, sore

Question 16

How is RA diagnosed?

Answer 16

The presence of synovitis in at least 1 joint, no other explanation for synovitis and a score of 6 points out of 10 possible

Question 17

What do the RA “points” involve?

Answer 17

Number and site of involved joints–> more joints = more points
Presence of antibodies
Elevated inflammation in blood
Symptom duration

Question 18

RA gender split?

Answer 18

3* more prevalent in women than men, especially in younger people

Question 19

Overall prevalence of RA in the UK?

Answer 19

0.81%

Question 20

Incidence of RA age factors?

Answer 20

RIses until 75yrs, decreases after

Question 21

Geographical incidence of RA?

Answer 21

More prevalent the further North you go

Question 22

Predisposing factors to do with RA?

Answer 22

Genetics, hormones, environmental

Question 23

Environmental triggers of RA?

Answer 23

Smoking, virus, bacteria, periodontits

Question 24

What is periodontitis?

Answer 24

A gum infection

Question 25

Pregnancy associated with RA?

Answer 25

Hormonal difference can cause it--> i.e. postpartum

Question 26

Which gene is associated with the greatest RA risk factor?

Answer 26

HLADRB-1

Question 27

What % of the genetic susceptibility are class II genes responsible for?

Answer 27

40

Question 28

Penetrance of RA?

Answer 28

Not v high

Question 29

WHat structure is HLADRB-1 gene important in?

Answer 29

MHC-II

Question 30

Anti CCP antibody other name?

Answer 30

ACPA

Question 31

Difference between ACPA and rheumatoid factor?

Answer 31

ACPA is v specific for RA whereas rheumatoid factor is present in a proportion of the healthy population

Question 32

How long can ACPA be found before RA symptoms begin?

Answer 32

14 years