Rheumatic Disorders

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary and definitions related to rheumatic disorders as outlined in the lecture notes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joints, characterized by symmetric and polyarticular symptoms.

Pannus

Vascular granulation tissue that forms in joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, reducing joint motion.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

A blood test that may be elevated in individuals with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

An autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems, characterized by a variety of manifestations including skin rashes and arthritis.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA)

An autoantibody that is commonly elevated in patients with SLE but is not unique to the disease.

Scleroderma

An autoimmune disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition, affecting skin and internal organs.

CREST syndrome

A limited form of scleroderma involving Calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasias.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

A chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to pain and stiffness.

Urate crystals

Deposits that form in joints and lead to the inflammatory response in gout.

Chronic tophaceous gout

A phase of gout characterized by repeated attacks and permanent joint changes.