DESCRIPTION
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
(click here to see references)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease that most prominently affects the diarthrodial joints (synovial joints). The immune system attacks the body’s own tissues rather than foreign cells such as bacteria or viruses which causes fluid buildup in the joints resulting in both joint pain and systemic inflammation. There are intermittent period of intense disease activity, referred to as flares, followed by periods of remission with no disease activity or symptoms. Rheumatoid Arthritis is continuously active and gets worse over time.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Anemia
- Decreased tear and saliva production
- Depression
- Generalized aching, weakness, and fatigue throughout the body
- Joint deformity
- Malaise
- Morning stiffness (lasts longer than 1 hour, hallmark feature)
- Pain, inflammation, warmth, and tenderness in multiple joints
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Soreness
- Synovitis
- Tendon sheath inflammation
- Weight loss
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Comprehensive medical history and physical examination by the physician
- Radiograph examinations of the joints
- Rests of joint fluid and/or tissue to evaluate for infections and/or inflammation
- Laboratory blood work:
- Rheumatoid factor is an antibody found in the blood serum of about 85% of patients with RA, however can be present with other inflammatory diseases
- Reduce pain
- Joint protection
- Improved functional status
(click here to see references)