Rheumatoid Arthritis
Brandon Holley
PAS5430 Winter 2017 - Class 6
Clinical Presentation
Disease Overview. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is considered the most common autoimmune inflammatory arthritis disease diagnosed in adult patients and affects quality of life and leads to increased mortality rates. It is defined as a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by symmetric, erosive synovitis that often leads to joint destruction, deformity, and disability. If left untreated, progression of RA could lead to irreversible joint damage, systemic effects including damage to the heart, lungs, & GI system. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long term complications and increase odds of remission.
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First degree relatives are at a 2-3 fold higher risk for developing the disease.
Presentation. Patient diagnosed with RA may have medical history of periodontitis, smoking, genetic predisposition, nulliparous, and family history of RA. Genetics may account for approximately 60% of risk associated with RA. Smoking has been the only confirmed environmental trigger for RA. Genes that affect the immune system may make some people more prone to getting RA. Physical symptoms upon exam may be subtle such as achy joints or morning stiffness. Other symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, limitation of joint movement, joint deformity, and warmth of involved joints. Less common presenting factors include fever, weight loss, and lyphadenopathy. Muscle atrophy could present near affected joints along with disproportionate weakness. Cutaneous findings are common and may include nodules with ulcers or petechia, purpura, or nodular erythema related to vascultitis. RA usually starts to affect small joints in the fingers, balls of the feet, and the wrists bilaterally. As disease progresses, RA can affect any joint, causing permanent damage, and even lead to systemic damage. Extraarticular manifestations may include anemia, pericarditis, Raynaud’s, interstitial lung disease, scleritis, neuropathy, pleuritis, lynphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Initial evaluation of the patient with RA should include documentation of symptoms of
Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA is a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that affects the joints symmetrically, causing a range of systemic effects. What it causes is still not well known; nevertheless, findings of new research points towards a believe that it is triggered by a defective immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause damage to cartilage and bone, usually affecting the wrists, the joints of the hand, including the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers and feet. While this condition can affect any joints, besides, important body organs such as the eyes and the lungs can also be affected by the inflammation that occurs as a result of this chronic condition. Only in America 1.3 million of people are affected by this ailment, and 75 % of them are mainly women. Its onset usually occurs between fourth and sixth decades; however, RA can occur at any age("Diseases And
Rheumatoid joint pain can be hard to analyze in its initial stages on the grounds that the early signs and side effects copy those of numerous different sicknesses. There is nobody blood test or physical finding to affirm the conclusion.
Rheumatoid Arthritis has been subject of numerous studies and researches in the look for a better understanding of how it effects the individuals diagnosed with it. There is a higher incident of females diagnosed with RA than male as well as a relationship with genetic and environmental factors involved. Around one percent of the world population is affected by RA; therefore, diverse studies have been performed to understand how the lives of the diagnosed patients can be impacted by the disease. For example, how RA affects the mobility, safety and activities of daily living in general as well as the development of interventions to better approach RA. On
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect any joint where two bones meet, causing them to painfully swell and possibly result in dislocation of the joints. This is caused from the synovial membrane being inflamed leading to cartilage and bone destruction. This can make simple functions of everyday living extremely difficult such as buttoning a shirt, turning a key in a lock, or holding a drinking glass. Common deformity of rheumatoid arthritis of the hand joints are swan neck which affects the proximal joints and fingers are locked stiff is such position, and ulnar drift; where the phalanges curve outward towards the ulnar bone. Symptoms may include stiffness of joint(s) in the morning, warmth, tenderness,
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The disease happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks a healthy tissue as if it was a foreign invader, such as a virus or bacteria. If left untreated it can lead to permanent joint damage, decrease in quality of life, and total disability. It affects over a million people in the U.S. alone. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include persistent joint inflammation which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Fatigue and stiffness are usually early symptoms. Joint pain can be an early symptom in a variety of diseases. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop slowly over a period of weeks or longer, but this is not always the case, it can have an acute
Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects whole systems of body particularly cardiovascular system, nerves, respiratory system (RACGP, 2009). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown but it is hereditary which assists to have a risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 50%-60% (RACGP, 2009).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small hand joints. RA is
Rheumatoid Arthritis is often referred to as RA. It is the most common inflammatory joint disease. It causes pain,swelling,and stiffiness in the joints. It can affect everybody no matter the gender or age. It is treatable but there is no cure for it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis or “RA” is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissues. This disease affects the lining of joints causing pain and swelling. Eventually the swelling can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. RA can happen to anyone at any age, but the majority of people who have to endure this disease are women over the age of 40.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. While inflammation of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also cause inflammation and injury in other organs in the
In this case study, we have a 64 year old gentleman, Mr Paul Brown, who has just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis also known as RA. Paul has a history of High Cholesterol and Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease also known as GORD, Hernia repair in 2009. He is also a current smoker that smokes about 20 to 30 cigarettes a day and has been living alone even since partner passed away few years ago from a sudden heart attack. He is an IT manager and was looking forward to retire in 2 years’ time.
Today, there are many diseases people have to deal with. Some of them are treatable and some of them are permanent. One of the visible autoimmune diseases is vitiligo.
The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain. However, joint pain may result from other illnesses, and this means that people experiencing joint pain have to consult a medical professional for differential diagnosis. Joint stiffness and swelling are also common in people with the disease. The most common symptom reported is a constant pain that occurs around a given joint. Moreover, other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that can also affect other body organs and cause other symptoms