Signs & Symptoms: begin with fever,
malaise, arthralgias, and weakness
before progressing to joint
inflammation and swelling.
Persistent symmetric polyarthritis
(synovitis) of hands and feet
(hallmark feature) Progressive
articular deterioration
Extra-articular involvement
Difficulty performing activities of
daily living (ADLs)
Clinical Findings:- ‘swan neck’ deformity
-The boutonnière or ‘button hole’ deformity-
Z deformity of the thumb.-Rheumatoid
Nodules
investigations:1- Anti-CCP(cyclic citrullinated peptide): identifying autoantibodies
2-normocytic anemia :anemia of chronic disease(ACD) : The most common cause of the
acquired form of normocytic anemia is a long-term (chronic) disease. 3-High Erythrocyte
sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) level : markers of inflammation
4-Rheumatoid factor (RF):measures the amount of the RF antibody in the blood : antibody
can attach to normal body tissue, resulting in damage.
Immunological Aspects of RA
Risk Factors : Sex: Women are
more likely than men to
develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Age : between the ages of 40
and 60. Family history Smoking
Environmental exposures :
asbestos or silica Obesity :
overweight or obese
Managements:
pharmacolgicaly
Methotrexate:effective in
reducing the signs and
symptoms of RA, as well as
slowing or halting
radiographic damage. It has
an immunosuppressive and
anti-inflammatory effects
Hydroxychloroquine: mild RA,
often combined with
methotrexate. used in the
treatment of lupus and malaria