• Rheumatoid Arthritis:
  • Smoking is a strong risk factor for developing RA
  • Can initially present as an oligoarthritis - usually becomes symmetric over time (usually >60min. joint stiffness in the AM)
  • MCPs and PIPs most commonly affected (DIPs and lumbar spine are spared)
  
  

  Posted 08/08/16 11:38:33 AM by Adam Faye

• RA Extrarticular Sequelae:
  • Felty Syndrome (pancytopenia, splenomegaly, leg ulcers)
  • Rheumatoid Nodules
  • ILD - usually insidious in onset
  • Rheumatoid vasculitis
  • Long-standing disease can lead to secondary amyloidosis (more common in Asia than U.S.)
  
  

  Posted 08/08/16 11:40:26 AM by Adam Faye

• • RA is a risk factor CAD
  • Methotrxate/TNF-inhibitors can reduce inflammation and as a result may be able to reduce CV risk. Dr Bathon looking at FDG uptake on PET-CT to evaluate inflammation in myocardium before/after treatment
  
  

  Posted 08/08/16 11:44:37 AM by Adam Faye

• Methotrexate - can cause pulmonary toxicity (most commonly is hypersensitivity pneumonitis)
  With TNF-inhibitors - use caution if patient has underlying HF --> may worsen condition
  
  

  Posted 08/08/16 11:52:18 AM by Adam Faye

• For further reading...

  RA Pathophysiology
  2015 ACR RA Guidelines
  
  

  Posted 08/08/16 11:54:10 AM by Adam Faye

Created by Christopher Kelly
The information on the website does not constitute official guidelines except where explicitly stated.
It is not meant to replace the advice of a health professional.