Rheumatoid Arthritis

Important Points:-

RA doesnt get manifested in AIDS patients because of reduction in number of T Cells which play significant role in synovial inflammation .

Articular Diagnostic criteria:-

1 RF positive

2 Swellings seens in wrist , metacarpoplangeal joint, proxinal interphalangeal joints

3 Morning stiffness usually more than 1 hour

4 Symmetric joint involvement (for 1.5 months)

5 >3 joints involvement (for 1.5 months minimum)

6 Rheaumatoid involvement

Minimum 4 needs to be qualified out of above criteria

Diagnosis:-

RF is neither sensitive nor specific .

So Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria

Rx;-

NSAIDS
Cox-2 Inhibitors(less toxic than NSAIDs
Disease Modifying Agents of Rheumatoid Factor
Methotrexate
Hydroxychloroquine
Gold
Penicillamine
Sulfasalazine
TNF inhibitors like Infliximab, Etanercept