Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
1
Q
what is rheumatoid arthritis
A
chronic, autoimmune, connective tissue disease
2
Q
what part of the body does it affect
A
systemic and synovial joints
3
Q
etiology
A
multifactoral (complex trait) environmental factor (viral trigger- EBV) genetic predisposition (HLA genes)
4
Q
Patho to do with autoimmunity
A
altered t-cell response = targets sundial membrane = inflammation and joint damage
altered b cell - antibody production (rheumatoid factors) - target tissues
5
Q
HS3 patho
A
rheumatoid factors form immune complex - deposits in synovial membranes - macrophages try to remove causing inflammation to surrounding area
6
Q
patho
A
repeat inflammation = deformity
7
Q
what is Pannus
A
vascular, granulation tissue
- composed of macrophage cells and release enzymes
- destroy connective tissue
- decrease joint motility
- damaging inflammatory cells
8
Q
forms of RH arthritis
A
swan neck
ulnar drift/shift
9
Q
Manifestations
A
subtle onset - low grade fever, malaise - increase fatigue AM joint pain stiffness after inactivity
Non-articular heart blood vessels skin lungs eyes
10
Q
Diagnosis
A
Hx, Px
xray
labs: rheumatoid factors (only 75% will show RF)
11
Q
Treatment
A
pain - meloxicam: NSAID - naproxin : NSAID limit progression (immunomodulatory) - plaquenil (need eye check ups 6-12m as the drugs puts deposits in the eye) - combo (sulfasalazine and methotrexate)
