2. Learning objectives:
At the end of this lecture the student should be able
to :
understand definition,genetic predisposition of RA.
Discuss pathophysiology, clinical features of RA.
Identify Diagnostic Criteria ,Laboratory Features
and bad prognostic Features of Rheumatoid
Arthritis.
3. Definition
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic
inflammatory disorder that may affect many
tissues and organs—skin, blood vessels, heart,
lungs, and muscles—but principally attacks the
joints, producing a non-suppurative proliferative
and inflammatory synovitis that often progresses
to destruction of the articular cartilage and
ankylosis of the joints.
4. Although the cause of RA remains
unknown, autoimmunity plays a pivotal
role in its chronicity and progression.
About 1% of the world's population is
afflicted by RA, women two to three times
more often than men.
5. It is most common in those age 40 to 70,
but no age is immune.
It is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune
disorder
6. Genetics
Patients who have HLA-DRB have
Increased risk for :
RA development.
Increased joint damage
Increased joint need for surgery
8. Role of Immunology in RA
Macrophages:
Produce cytokines
Cytokines (TNF-α) cause systemic
features
Release chemokines recruit PMNs
into synovial fluid/membrane
9. TNF-α & IL-1:
Proliferation of T cells
Activation of B cells
Initiates pro-inflammatory/joint-damaging
processes
10. TH-1 cells:
Mediate disease processes
Activate B cells
B cells:
Release cytokines
Plasma cells that produce Ab
17. Symmetric Peripheral
Polyarthritis
3 or more Joints for >6 weeks
Intermittent or Migratory involvement
Small Joints
Hands & Feet
Peripheral to Proximal
Leads to Deformity & Destruction of Joints
Erosion of cartilage and bone
18. Stiffness
Morning or after Prolonged Inactivity
Bilateral
> 1 hours
Reflects severe joint inflammation
Better with movement
Pain with pressure to joint
19. ….Stiffness
Pain with movement of joint
Swelling due to hypertrophy of
synovium
Effusion
Hotness
Redness
20. Physical Exam
Decreased grip strength
Carpal tunnel syndrome(condition
characterized by pain and numbing or tingling
sensations in the hand and caused by
compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel at
the wrist.
Ulnar deviation
Boutonniere/Swan neck deformities
Extensor tendon rupture
32. Laboratory findings
Anemia of moderate degree
ESR a useful parameter for assessing
response to therapy
C-reactive protein
RF (usually IgM)
CIC , complements
ANA
Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide)
33. Rheumatoid Factor
Antibodies to Fc portion of IgG
75-80% of Patients have during
course of disease
Useful for prognosis
34. Rheumatoid
Factor
IgG Molecule
Fc Portion
Antigen Binding
Groove
Autoantibodies (IgM)
directed against the
Fc Fragment of IgG
An Antibody to an
Antibody
Their Role in RA is
not understood
35. Rheumatoid Factor
RFs are human auto-Abs that react with
the Fc portion of normal polyclonal IgG.
Most routine clinical assays for RF detect
only IgM RFs, although RFs can be any
class of immunoglobulin
Named thus because their first description
was in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
36. Rheumatoid Factor
RF test is approximately 65%-75%
sensitive for the diagnosis
The presence of RF, even in high titers or
large amounts, is not specific for RA
40. Radiological Studies
Plain Films
Bilateral hands & feet
Color Doppler U/S & MRI
Early signs of damage i.e. Erosions
Bone Edema - even with normal
findings on radiography
46. Severe Disease
>20 persistently inflamed joints
Rapid decline in functional capacity
Radiographic evidence of rapid
progession of bony erosions & loss of
cartilage
Extraarticular disease
47. bad prognostic Features
RF +ve
Early development of multiple inflamed
joints and joint erosions
Severe functional limitation
Female
HLA epitope presence
Lower socioeconomic status & Less
education
Persistent joint inflammation for >12
weeks