Rheumatoid arthritis Tena Trbojevi Mentor: A. mega Horvat

Rheumatoid arthritis chronic diesease

inflammatory disease (inflammation of joint lining)

autoimmune disease (immune reaction against joint tissues - synovial membrane)

Rheumatoid arthritiscauses pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of function in the joints

generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern may also attack tissue in the skin, lungs, eyes, and blood vessels

Rheumatoid arthritissmall joints of hands and feet affected first, larger joints later

Rheumatoid arthritisbegins during the most productive years (30 60)

occurs much more frequently in women than in men (w:m=3:1)

Rheumatoid arthritisspecific agent or agents are not yet known

infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger RA in people with an inherited tendency to develop the disease

Rheumatoid arthritissynovitisfibrous ankylosisbony ankylosisosteoporosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis - symptoms:Around the jointswarmthrednessswelling painlimitations in joint motion

General sickness tiredness fever

Rheumatoid arthritiscan be difficult to diagnose in its early stages

Patient history - questions about the intensity of pain symptoms - frequency of symptoms - what makes the pain better or worse

RTG, MRI, arthrography, arthroscopy

Blood test (RF, CRP, SE) RF Waaler- Rose test 1:32=normal 1:64 pathological

Rheumatoid arthritisTreatments can:

relieve painreduce swellingslow down or help prevent joint damageincrease ability to functionimprove sense of well-being

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment options:exercisemedicationstress reduction

DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs): methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine

corticosteroids : cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone

in some cases - surgery (joint replacement and tendon reconstruction - two types of surgery available to patients with severe joint damage )

Rheumatoid arthritisresearch efforts: focused on developing drugs that can reduce inflammation and slow or stop the disease with few side effects; investigators trying to identify the infectious agents and understand how they work new therapies

scientists are also examining why rheumatoid arthritis often improves during pregnancy

Rheumatoid arthritishttp://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

http://video.about.com/arthritis/Chronic-Rheumatism-Hand.htm

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/videolist.html#rheumatoidarthritis

References: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/videolist.html#rheumatoidarthritis http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

http://video.about.com/arthritis/Chronic-Rheumatism-Hand.htm