RHEMATOID ARTHRITIS-PART-1

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory chronic and systemic disease most apparently involved in the synovial joints. The inflammation can spread over extra-articular tendons and organ structures.

Criteria 

There are many criteria as follows:-

1.Morning Stiffness

Morning stiffness in any part of our body might have been experienced by somebody else especially at the knees or the feet. This may last for at least one hour.

2.Joints Swelling

At least three joints must have been experiencing swelling with fluid. The possible areas are the wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, and phalangeal (Hand and Feet Fingers) joints.

3.At least One Joint Area

At least one joint area in the hand such as the wrist, metacarpophalangeal(MCP), or proximal interphalangeal(PIP)

4.Symmetric

Simultaneous experience of arthritis in the bone joints at both sides of the body.

5.Subcutaneous Nodules(Rheumatoid nodules)

These nodules must be observed over bony prominences, extensor surfaces, or in juxta-articular regions by a physician.

6.Abnormal Presence Of Serum Rheumatoid Factor

It should be observed by a physician by any methodology

7.Radiological Changes

Bony erosions or decalcifications must be present in the hand or wrist x-ray.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is more common in women than men with a ratio of 3:1 respectively.

Occurrence

In general, the occurrence is rare (1 to 3%) in early ages, and medial at 30 to 40 years and more common at above 40 years. 

Etiological Factors

Although it is still not knowing the exact reasons yet the following might have been observed as the etiological factors.

1. A specific leukocyte antigen is often involving some inflammatory reaction if the individual is exposed to certain environment.75% whites have this antigen while 30% from the rest of the population is suffering from RA.

2. Some infectious diseases may also be as factors to precipitate RA.

Symptoms

1.Synovial swellings with inflammation, with fluid collection and edema. If left untreated the RA becomes chronic and the synovium becomes thick and boggy.

2. The thickened synovium grow inward across the cartilage results in cartilage degradation, loss of adjacent bone, and erosions.

3. The pain will produce by rub and press.