JOINT LECTURE: WEEK: 2 DISORDERS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CAUSES: CLASSIFICATIONS: An autoimmune disease Chronic inflammation of the synovial joints 1 Of those who suffer from this condition: 60% are Females 30% are males Indigenous Australians suffer almost double compared to non-indigenous RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Inflammation Fibrous ankylosis Pannus Eroding cartilage Bony ankylosis Figure 1: Features of rheumatoid arthritis MANAGEMENT Initial anti- inflammatory medication therapy NSAIDS Cox-2 inhibitors Corticosteroids Long-term use contraindicated due to potential consequences such as steroid- induced osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and cataracts Initiated by an auto immune response Immune cells attack the tissue articular cartilage in the region as it will is believed to be a Foreign body Followed by an inflammatory response In the absence of some serological markers it is reversible but very rare COMPLICATIONS: Caused by excessive amounts of inflammatory exudate in the synovial cavity Formation of cysts in the articular cartilage/ subchondral bone Rupture of the cyst or synovial joint CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Presents in patients that are 30 years of age or older Typical signs and symptoms: Pain Malaise Joint involvement is usually symmetrical Hands Feet Wrists Ankles Elbows Knees Metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints Affected joints are swollen and warm Figure 2: Commonly affected joints in rheumatoid arthritis (Adapted from Saalfeld et al., 2021)