RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY
1. Systemic, autoimmune, inflammatory, symmetric, peripheral polyarthritis of unknown etiology.
2. Primarily affects the synovial lining of diarthrodial joints (joints composed of type II hyaline cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane, synovial fluid, joint capsule).
3. Rheumatoid factor - heterogenous antibodies directed against the Fc portion of IgG antibodies.
4. F:M ratio is 2:1, peak age of onset 55 years.
5. Increased risk of CV diseases, lung diseases, depression, OP, malignancies (lymphoma, lung, skin CA).
Reference(s)
Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].
