Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
Rheumatoid arthritis - definition
A common seropositive inflammatory arthritis causing destructive polyarthritis with some systemic symptoms.
A major cause of disability, it can affect all synovial joints but particularly the small joints of the hands and feet
Rheumatoid arthritis - causes
Cause is unclear and there is some genetic component (15-20%) with a link to HLA DR4/DR1 in whites (65-80%) but others in different ethnic groups
Links to infectious agents or periods of stress have been suggested by evidence is lacking - EBV shares a epitope with type 2 collagen
Rheumatoid arthritis - clinical features
typically insidious onset pain and symmetrical morning stiffness in the small joints sparing the DIP
Patients can also present with subacute systemic symptoms without clear joint involvement
Patients may also show rheumatoid nodules, positive rheumatoid factor and joint erosions radiographically
Rheumatoid arthritis - epidemiology
Prevalence: 3.4/10,000 in women & 1.4/10,000 in men - 0.5-1% overall
Incidence increases with age up to 45, but in women the incidence plateaus at 45 and then decreases at 75
Life expectancy is reduced by 7 in men and 3 years in women
Rheumatoid arthritis - lymph node involvement
Often are found to be enlarged but rarely palpable
RA can rarely present with widespread swollen nodes which mimic hodgkins disease
Rheumatoid arthritis - pregnancy
Pregnancy has a beneficial affect on RA which usually returns 1-2 months post partum but my be more severe
Rheumatoid arthritis - pulmonary disease
Pleuritis, pericarditis and pleural effusions can occur, more likely in older patients
Sero-positive RA can present with asymptomatic pulmonary nodules which may require biopsy to exclude malignancy
Fibrosing alveolitis or diffuse interstitial fibrosis are rare complications, particularly when methotrexate has been used.
Rheumatoid arthritis - cardiovascular complications
RA has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular and atherosclerotic disease
1.3 increased risk in men and 1.9 in women
There is also a risk of pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis
Rheumatoid arthritis - skin
Palmar erythema is common
There is an association with raynaud’s and associated infarcts and infection risk
Leukocyclastic vasculitis can be seen as a visible purpura but usually spontaneously resolves
Rheumatoid arthritis - ocular complications
Rheumatoid vasculitis an lead to severe scleritis leading to scleromalcia
Associated with sjogren’s syndrome causing dryness
Rheumatoid arthritis - neurological involvement
Peripheral neuropathies can occur secondary to synovitis, particularly median nerve compression.
May be acute onset mononeuritis multiplex or motor neuropathy can indicate aggressive vasculitis
Cervical (atlano-axial) subluxation may also occur with neurological complications (cord compression)
Rheumatoid arthritis - ligament and tendon involvement
Spontaneous tendon rupture is common, most often at the wrist, hand and rotator cuff.
Tenosynovitis and ligament weakening can also often lead to joint instability and subluxation
Rheumatoid arthritis - fracture risk
Circulating Inflammatory cytokines may cause periarticular osteoporosis
This can be compounded by inactivity, nutritional deficiency and steroid/methotrexate use increasing the risk of spontaneous fractures
Rheumatoid arthritis - infection risk
RA patients are particularly at risk of septic arthritis
The risk is also compounded by immunosupressive drug use
This can be dangerous as the usual signs of sepsis will be absent
Rheumatoid arthritis - secondary amyloidosis
A severe but rare complication, most commonly affecting the kidneys
80% five year survival with intensive treatment
Felty’s syndrome
RA + splenomegaly + neutropenia.
RF +ve in ~100%
Initial evaluation of RA
Degree/duration of morning stiffness, joint pain and fatigue
Functional impairment and patient assessment of severity
Number and distribution of swollen, painful and dis-functioning joints - including periodicity and the any extra-articular disease
Radiographic and blood markers
Radiographic features of RA
Marginal erosive changes to the joints – also periarticular oestoporosis
May show early subluxation or distortion of the joints or bones
Joint space narrowing ad subchondral cysts
Blood markers in RA
IgM rheumatoid factor –> only 70-80% of patients are RF positive and a negative result shouldn’t override a clinical diagnosis
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) –> surrogate marker for RA (98% specific) 50-60% of early pts will be anti-CCP positive
Blood tests in RA
RF and anti-CCP are useful disease markers
ESR and CRP is also a useful general inflammatory marker
FBC, LFT, U+Es and urinalysis to assess for systemic disease
Pharmacotherapy for RA - Pain relief
analgesia and NSAIDs
