week 2 Flashcards
what is affected in RA?
synovium
what mediates RA?
HLA-DR4
describe RA
inflammatory arthritis, symmetirial, F>M. any age, 1% prevalence.
smoking and genetics lead to worse outcome.
presence of auto-antibodies gives worse prognosis.
commonly affected sites in RA
c1/C2, hand joints, wrist, elbow, shoulders, TMJ, knees, hips, ankle, feet. (synovium lined)
what is the hallmark of RA
synovitis. (spongey on examination)
Get inflammatory “pannus” with inflammatory cascade (osteoclasts erode, B cells give Rheumatoid factor, mast cells cause inflammation, and neutrophils….)
early RA and therapeutic window
<2 years, first 3 months best therapeutic window.
PC of RA
- early morning stiffness greater than 30min
- more than one area
- hand joint
- symmetrical
- positive ‘squeeze’ test of MCP/MTP
diagnosis of RA
Hx, Examination,
bloods: FBC (check for anaemia of chronic disease, inc platelets ) CRP + ESR/PV [inflammatory markers]
radiology [for staging ]
autoantibodies [may be negative]
what is tenosynovitis
caused by RA. tendon sheath inflammation. causes carpal tunnel PIP, MCP, MTP joint inflammation.
autoantibodies to check for in RA
rheumatoid factor and anti-CPP (better)
imaging for RA
x-ray hand/feet. US. MRI (gold standard.)
how do you assess RA
DAS-28. <2.6= disease remission and >5.1 is high activity.
management of RA
rheumatologist, drugs, target good DAS28 score, steroid/NSAID’s, patient education.
High high with NSAID + steroids (not tot long as side effects - use as bridging therapy until DMARD’s kick in) initially then drop down once in remission (gain control the reduced drugs)
DMARDs in RA
Methotrexate
sulphasalazine
hydroxycholoroquine
(biologic therapy ).
also gold therapy, penicillamine, azothiaprine.
what do you need to check if giving biological therapy (anti-TNF)
bacterial and TB reactivation
how can steroids be administered in RA
oral, IM, IA.
how is MTX administered and what needs co-prescribed with Methotexate.
weekly injection.
folic acid.
risks of methotrexate
pneumonitis, LFT’s, teratogenic, reduced FBC.
what needs considered when prescribing biological therapy for RA patients
DAS28 score, TB/HIV/Hep B status, methotrexate co-prescibed. no live-attenuate vaccine (EG: yellow fever)
what are the signs of advanced RA
joint damage and deformity. atlanto-axial sublaxation
things to consider in paint with RA on medication
pregnancy, accelerate CVS risk, immunisations, stop smoking, keep DAS28 score good
what is the commonest arthritis
OA (osteoarthritis)
What happens in OA
progressive degenerative disease, thinning of cartilage with loss of joint space and bony spurs formation
pathogenesis of OA
loss of matrix of cartilage, cytokine release (Il-1, TNF, mixed metalloproteinases and prostaglandins).
fibrillated cartilage surface, bone formed not cartilage.