Tena Trbojević Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat Rheumatoid arthritis Tena Trbojević Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Rheumatoid arthritis chronic diesease inflammatory disease (inflammation of joint lining) autoimmune disease (immune reaction against joint tissues - synovial membrane)

Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of function in the joints generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern may also attack tissue in the skin, lungs, eyes, and blood vessels

Rheumatoid arthritis small joints of hands and feet affected first, larger joints later

Rheumatoid arthritis begins during the most productive years (30 – 60) occurs much more frequently in women than in men (w:m=3:1)

Rheumatoid arthritis specific agent or agents are not yet known infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger RA in people with an inherited tendency to develop the disease

Rheumatoid arthritis synovitis fibrous ankylosis bony ankylosis osteoporosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis - symptoms: Around the joints warmth redness swelling pain limitations in joint motion General sickness tiredness fever

Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages Patient history - questions about the intensity of pain symptoms - frequency of symptoms - what makes the pain better or worse RTG, MRI, arthrography, arthroscopy Blood test (RF, CRP, SE) RF→ Waaler- Rose test 1:32=normal 1:64≤ pathological

Rheumatoid arthritis Treatments can: relieve pain reduce swelling slow down or help prevent joint damage increase ability to function improve sense of well-being

Rheumatoid arthritis – treatment options: exercise medication stress reduction DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs): methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine corticosteroids : cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone in some cases - surgery (joint replacement and tendon reconstruction - two types of surgery available to patients with severe joint damage )

Rheumatoid arthritis research efforts: focused on developing drugs that can reduce inflammation and slow or stop the disease with few side effects; investigators trying to identify the infectious agents and understand how they work → new therapies scientists are also examining why rheumatoid arthritis often improves during pregnancy

Rheumatoid arthritis http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis_pictures_slideshow/article.htm http://video.about.com/arthritis/Chronic-Rheumatism-Hand.htm http://nihseniorhealth.gov/videolist.html#rheumatoidarthritis

References: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/videolist.html#rheumatoidarthritis http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis_pictures_slideshow/article.htm http://video.about.com/arthritis/Chronic-Rheumatism-Hand.htm