Rheumatology: Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards

1
Q

RA is a systemic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology that results in predominantly _____, symmetric, inflammatory synovitis leading to cartilage and bone destruction and deformities.

A

peripheral

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2
Q

Which joints does RA typically manifest in?

A

small joints of the hands and feet EXCEPT the DIPs, C1-C2, crycoartenoid, ossicles of the ear, and TMJ

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3
Q

What are the symptoms of RA?

A

morning stiffness, soft tissue swelling around joints, pain, deformities, loss of function

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4
Q

What are the signs of RA?

A

joint warmth and swelling, tenderness to palpation, deformities

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5
Q

What are the serologic findings in RA?

A
RF present 
ESR or CRP elevated
anemia, hypergammaglobinemia
CCP Abs
inflammatory (>2000 WBC/microL), mostly neutrophils
Low complement and glucose
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6
Q

Name a known risk factor for RA.

A

smoking

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7
Q

What radiographic findings are seen in RA?

A

swelling
juxta-articular osteopenia
symmetric loss of joint space
erosions in marginal distribution

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8
Q

What are rheumatoid nodules and how often are they seen?

A

nodules of extensor surfaces, tendon sheaths, or lungs; 20-25% of those that are RF positive

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9
Q

RA has other end-organ involvement. Where?

A

eyes (scleritis), lungs (pulm. fibrosis or nodules), pericardium, peripheral nerves (neuropathy)

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10
Q

What is the fem:male ratio of RA?

A

2.5:1

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11
Q

What allele is associated with RA?

A

HLA-DR4

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12
Q

RA begins with inflammation in the _____, with later destruction of the articular cartilage, bone, and periarticular structures.

A

synovium

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13
Q

In the early stages of RA, the synovial fluid is mostly composed of ____ cells.

A

mononuclear

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14
Q

What is pannus?

A

an organized mass of granulation tissue consisting of macs, T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts

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15
Q

Which gene is probably the most important for RA?

A

DRB1 (QKRAA)

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16
Q

What is the QKRAA sequence?

A

it surrounds the antigen binding groove and interacts with side chains of the bound antigen and the T cell receptor; determines both susceptibility to and severity of disease

17
Q

Name 3 genes other than DRB1/QKRAA that are associated with RA.

A

PTPN22, STAT4, and TRAF1-C5

18
Q

RA begins with inflammation in the synovium, with later destruction of the _____, ____, and ______.

A

articular cartilage, bone, and periarticular structures

19
Q

What is the arthritogenic peptide hypothesis?

A

some sort of RA-associate MHC II molecule binds to and presents an arthritogenic peptide

20
Q

What is an organized mass of granulation tissue consisting of macs, T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts called?

A

a pannus

21
Q

What is the “selection of the T cell repertoire” hypothesis?

A

RA-associated class II molecules are involved in a selection of a particular set of T cells

22
Q

What is the “class II peptide as an antigen itself” hypothesis?

A

sequence homology btw the shared epitope in the 3rd hypervariable region of the RA-associated MHC II causing cross-reaction

23
Q

How do macs play a role in RA?

A

they secret pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNFalpha, an IL-6) and proteolytic enzymes

24
Q

Where does RF and anti-CCP come from?

A

B cells

25
Q

_____ are immunoglobulins that recognize epitopes present within the Fc portion of IgG.

A

RF

26
Q

Most RF are what kind of Ig?

A

IgM

27
Q

Immune complexes of RF and IgG lead to _____ via the _____ pathway.

A

complement activation; classical

28
Q

What are the treatments for RA?

A
  1. anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs (NSAIDs, aspirin, prednisone)
  2. DMARDs (hydrochloroquine, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, methotrexate); cytokines, B cell inhibitors (rituximab)
  3. PT
  4. surgery (joint replacement)
29
Q

RF are immunoglobulins that recognize epitopes present within the _____.

A

Fc portion of IgG