Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized by polyarticular symmetric joint involvement and systemic manifestations.
2. DEFINITION
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disorder
of unknown etiology characterized by polyarticular symmetric joint
involvement and systemic manifestations.
6. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
EARLY FEATURE:
Most commonly affects MCPJ and PIPJ, wrist, tendon sheaths around the
joints (wrist – feet – knee – shoulder )
Bilateral symmetrical polysynovitis
Pain, fusiform swelling, stiffness, loss of mobility
Constitutional symptom:
- malaise, low-grade fever
- tenosynovitis
7. LATE FEATURE (DESTRUCTIVE)
Spread to other joint
Morning stiffness(more than 30mins) – improve with activity
MORE LATER (DEFORMITY)
Pain, deformity, instability, decreased ROM
Thumb – Z-deformity
Fingers – swan neck deformity, boutonniere’s deformities, ulnar deviation
Wrist – radial and volar displacement
Elbow – limited extension
Shoulder – limited abduction
Knees – swollen
Toes – clawed
8.
9. RISK FACTORS
Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Gender . Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Age. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in middle
age.
Family history. If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an
increased risk of the disease.
Smoking. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis,
particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking
also appears to be associated with greater disease severity.
Environmental exposures. Although poorly understood, some exposures such as
asbestos or silica may increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Obesity. People — especially women age 55 and younger — who are overweight or
obese appear to be at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
11. DIAGNOSIS
Laboratory tests
Rheumatoid factor (RF) detectable in
60% to 70%.
Anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-
CCP) antibodies have similar sensitivity
to RF but are more specific and are
present earlier in the disease.
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
and C-reactive protein are markers for
inflammation.
Normocytic normochromic anaemia is
common as is thrombocytosis.
Other diagnostic tests
Joint fluid aspiration may show
increased white blood cell counts
without infection, crystals.
Joint radiographs may show
periarticular osteoporosis, joint space
narrowing, or erosions.
18. Management:
Before start of therapy:
CBC
Serum creatinine – should be normal
LFT – SGOT, SGPT should be normal
Viral markers
Chest x ray – ask history of TB
Rheumatoid factor
ESR/CRP
After start of therapy:
Monitor CBC, serum creatinine, LFT, ESR every 3 months
19. DMARDS
should be started within the first 3 months of symptom onset
DMARDs commonly used include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine,
sulfasalazine, and leflunomide.
Methotrexate is first line agent
20. DRUG OF CHOICE FOR RA
METHOTREXATE
DOSE: 7.5mg/week – 25mg/week
Start with 10mg/week
MTX shows response after 6-12 weeks
Patient needs to report after 2-4 weeks with LFT
If patient has tolerated the dose then increase dose @5mg/week up to 25mg/week
FORM OF THERAPY:
Below 15mg/wk. – oral
Above 15mg/wk. – SC/IM
Intrathecal for single joint involvement – usually given in cancer
HOW LONG TO GIVE THE THERAPY?
3-5 yrs. minimum duration of therapy
Patients with response to MTX cures with more frequency
21. MOA:
Methotrexate inhibits cytokine production, inhibits purine biosynthesis,
and may stimulate release of adenosine, all of which may lead to its anti
inflammatory properties.
ADR OF MTX: GI (stomatitis, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea),
myelosuppression (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia), hepatic (elevated
enzymes, rarely cirrhosis), pulmonary (fibrosis, pneumonitis), rash
Contraindications:
chronic liver disease
Immunodeficiency
pleural or peritoneal effusions
leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, preexisting blood disorders
creatinine clearance of less than 40 mL/min.
22. LEFLUNOMIDE
Used as Alternative to MTX
Leflunomide is a DMARD that inhibits pyrimidine synthesis, leading to a decrease in
lymphocyte proliferation and modulation of inflammation.
Leflunomide has efficacy similar to methotrexate for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
DOSE: loading dose – 100mg daily for 3 days
maintenance dose – 20mg daily
Lower doses - if patients have gastrointestinal intolerance, complain of hair loss, or have
other signs of dose-related toxicity.
contraindicated in patients with preexisting liver disease.
The drug is teratogenic,
Because leflunomide undergoes enterohepatic circulation, the drug takes many months to
drop to a plasma concentration considered safe during pregnancy. Hence should be given to
patients who are above 40yrs.
Cholestyramine may be used to rapidly clear the drug from plasma
23. HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
The main advantage of hydroxychloroquine is the lack of
myelosuppressive, hepatic, and renal toxicities that may be seen with other
DMARDs, which simplifies monitoring
Dose: Oral: 200–300 mg bid, after 1–2 months may ↓ to 200 mg bid or
daily
OTHER DMARDS:
Sulfasalazine, Gold salts, azathioprine, D-penicillamine, cyclosporine,
cyclophosphamide, and minocycline have all been used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis.
24. BIOLOGICAL DMARDS - BIOLOGICS
Effective for patients who fail treatment with other DMARDs.
25. IMPORTANT POINTS REGARDING
BIOLOGICS
Given when response to DMARD’s
alone is poor
Biologics always given in combination
with MTX in RA
Increase the risk of infections
Screen for latent TB and hepatitis B
before therapy
There should be no infections before,
while or after starting the therapy
Patient should be asked to report
slightest infection
Vaccinate for influenza
If patient already has an infection, treat
the infection before starting therapy
Tuberculin skin testing is recommended
prior to treatment with these drugs.
If patient develop infections while on
biologic agents temporarily discontinue
them until the infection is cured.
Given for a short course of 3-9 months
High cost
26. INFLIXIMAB
DOSE: IV infusion of 3 mg/kg at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and then every 8 weeks.
Infliximab should be given in combination with methotrexate to prevent
development of antibodies that may reduce drug efficacy or induce
allergic reactions.
combination of methotrexate plus infliximab halted progression of joint
damage in patients and was superior to methotrexate monotherapy
27. CORTICOSTEROIDS
They are valuable in controlling symptoms before the onset of action of
DMARDs.
This is referred to as a “bridge therapy”
A burst of corticosteroids can be used in acute flares.
Continuous low doses may be adjuncts when DMARDs do not provide
adequate disease control.
may be injected into joints and soft tissues to control local inflammation
Prednisone is the most often used steroid in RA treatment.
ADR: Hypertension, hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis
28. USE OF STEROIDS IN RA
Lowest dose – prednisone ≤ 7.5mg/day
Lowest duration - ≤ 3 months
Used as initial therapy with MTX
INTRAMUSCULAR ROUTE: preferred in patients with compliance problems.
Ex: triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone hexacetonide, and methylprednisolone
acetate.
provides the patient with 2 to 6 weeks of symptomatic control.
INTRAARTICULAR STEROIDS: preferred due to lesser side effects
Given if small number of joints are affected
one joint should not be injected more than 2-3 times /year because of the risk of
accelerated joint destruction and atrophy of tendons..
Daily supplements of calcium (800–1,000 mg) and vitamin D (400–800 units) are
recommended along with steroids.
29. NSAIDS
Adjuncts to DMARD treatment.
Reduce stiffness and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Few examples of NSAIDS:
Aspirin 2.6–5.2 g ---Four times daily
Celecoxib 200–400 mg — Daily to twice daily
Diclofenac 150–200 mg — Three times per day to four times daily
ADR: GI ulceration and bleeding, renal damage
Aspirin - contraindicated in children
30. COMBINATION THERAPY
Given when there is active disease even when MTX is ≥15mg/wk. for 8-12
weeks
TRIPLE THERAPY:
MTX+ sulfasalazine(1-2g/day)- start with 500mg/day +
hydroxychloroquine(200-400mg/day)
Given to patients who didn’t respond to MTX alone
OR
Leflunomide (100mg daily for 3 days then 10-20mg daily)+ sulfasalazine +
hydroxychloroquine
Methotrexate + sulfasalazine +prednisone
infliximab + methotrexate
31. JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS
Clinical presentation:
The morning stiffness and joint pain may manifest as increased irritability, guarding of involved
joints, or refusal to walk. Fatigue, low-grade fever, anorexia, weight loss, failure to grow
Treatment:
NSAID:
NSAID therapy is the treatment of choice for treating the joint manifestations as well as the febrile
episodes in systemic-onset JIA
Ex: Naproxen 10 to 15 mg/kg/day (maximum, 750 mg) in two daily divided doses
DMARD:
For patients with polyarticular disease MTX is given 5 to 15 mg/m2 (0.15–0.5 mg/kg) orally or
subcutaneously each week
BIOLOGIC DMARD:
Etanercept (Enbrel), the only FDA-approved biological agent for the treatment of JIA
Indicated for patients 4 years of age and older whose conditions have failed to respond to one or
more DMARDs
Dose : 0.4 mg/kg (maximum, 25 mg) subcutaneously twice weekly.
32. ANEMIA IN RA
RA can cause anemia of chronic disease
If MTX is given, give folic acid to manage anemia
If MTX is causing Hb drop >1-2g/dl – discontinue MTX
HEPATITIS IN RA:
Hydroxychloroquine+ sulfasalazine
Do not give biologics
RENAL DYSFUNCTION:
If sr. creatinine is >30ml/min low dose MTX is given
If sr. creatinine is <30ml/min, sulfasalazine+ low dose hydroxychloroquine
34. VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS
Folic acid - Because MTX is a folic acid antagonist, it can induce a folic acid
deficiency. This deficiency is thought to be partly responsible for methotrexate
toxicity, and supplementation with folic acid does alleviate some adverse effects.
Dose: 5mg weekly/5mg daily other than the day of MTX administration
Vitamin D- given as weekly therapy for 8-10 weeks, then given as monthly therapy
Calcium- initially 1g/day, later 500mg/day
Vitamin B12
35. MANAGEMENT OF RA DURING
PREGNANCY
BEFORE PREGNANCY:
Discontinue MTX at least 3 months before pregnancy - teratogenic
If pregnancy is confirmed – discontinue MTX
Controlled disease for at least 6 months
Avoid MTX, leflunomide and biologics during pregnancy
DURING PREGNANCY:
1st trimester – hydroxychloroquine ±sulfasalazine
2nd trimester – hydroxychloroquine + sulfasalazine
3rd trimester – hydroxychloroquine + steroids SOS
POST DELIVERY:
Hydroxychloroquine
36. COMPLICATIONS OF RA
Rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing:
Osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis itself, along with some medications used for treating
rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens your
bones and makes them more prone to fracture.
Rheumatoid nodules. These firm bumps of tissue most commonly form around pressure points,
such as the elbows. However, these nodules can form anywhere in the body, including the lungs.
Sjogren's syndrome People who have rheumatoid arthritis are much more likely to experience
Sjogren's syndrome, a disorder that decreases the amount of moisture in your eyes and mouth.
Felty’s Syndrome: Rheumatoid arthritis in association with splenomegaly and neutropenia is
known as Felty’s syndrome. Thrombocytopenia also may be a manifestation of the syndrome
Abnormal body composition. The proportion of fat to lean mass is often higher in people who
have rheumatoid arthritis, even in people who have a normal body mass index (BMI)..
37. Carpal tunnel syndrome. If rheumatoid arthritis affects your wrists, the
inflammation can compress the nerve that serves most of your hand and
fingers.
Heart problems. Rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of hardened
and blocked arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that encloses your
heart(pericarditis)
Lung disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of
inflammation and scarring of the lung tissues, which can lead to
progressive shortness of breath.
Lymphoma. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of lymphoma, a group
of blood cancers that develop in the lymph system
38. How to differentiate between RA and
Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Most common in females (35-50yrs)
Pain in knuckles, hands, small joints –
deformity occurs if therapy is not
given
CSR, CRP elevated
Positive rheumatoid factor
Positive anti citrullinated antibody
Ankylosing spondylitis
Young males(20-40yrs)
Patient complaints of backache in the
morning
Sacro- ileac joint inflammation
Buttock pain
Bamboo spine
Pain at rest – goes away on exercising
HLA B27 positive