LESSON 4: PART 4 - RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Type I

Types of RA: A self-limited polyarthritis 

Type II

Types of RA: Persistent disease 

Type III 

Types of RA: Progressive disease with radiologic damage.

Types I

Types of RA: Meets ACR criteria for RA on presentation

Type II

Types of RA: Management by conservative treatment

Type III 

Types of RA: Functional decline 

Type I

Types of RA: No patients meet criteria 2–5 y later 

Type II

Types of RA: Few significant long-term consequences

Type III

Types of RA: Premature morbidity

• rheumatoid nodules

• Serum rheumatoid factor

two indicators of RA

4

diagnotic criteria of RA

• Morning stiffness

• Arthritis of three or more joint areas

• Arthritis of hand joints

• Symmetrical arthritis

• Rheumatoid nodules

• Serum rheumatoid factor

• Radiographic changes

Revised Criteria for the Classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

• Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

major classifications of drugs used in RA management

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Provide both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects depending on the dose prescribed; however, they do not alter disease progression. 

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

Primary class of drugs for managing disease progression in RA.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

are prescribed for patients with RA at the onset of symptoms

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) 

Most often used drug to treat adult-onset RA

methotrexate

The most commonly used DMARD to manage RA

Biological response modifiers (BRMs)

Approved to treat moderate to severe RA that is nonresponsive to traditional therapy. 

Corticosteroids

Are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs creating rapid and potent suppression of inflammation.