5. Investigation
Anemia-normocytic, normochromic
Raised ESR- helpful in follow-up
X-ray of hands- juxta-articular osteopenia,
reduced joint space, bony erosions,
Rheumatoid factor- autoAb against Fc portion
of IgG- +ve in ~50-70%
Anti-CCP Ab- +ve in ~70%, more specific
Synovial fluid- inflammatory
6. Differential diagnosis
Actually none
Ankylosing spondylitis- males, axial joints affected
Psoriatic arthritis- skin lesions, nail changes,
DIP joint involvement
Gout- large joints involved, asymmetricalsymmetrical
Osteoarthritis- weight bearing joints, DIP
joints involved, X-ray suggestive
SLE- other system involved, ds-DNA Ab +ve
Acute rheumatic fever- asymmetric, migratory, large joints
involved, e/o antecedent streptococcal infection
7. Treatment
No cure, except SCT
Goals of treatment-
Alleviate symptoms- steroids as bridge therapy
Prevent future joint destruction & deformity- DMARDs
Sequence of DMARDs-
Methotrexate
+ HCQS
+ any biological TNF antagonist/Sulfasalazine
Rituximab
8. DMARDs- start early
Non-biological-
Methotrexate- 5-25 mg/week; monitor CBC, LFT, RFT
Hydroxychloroquine- 200-400 mg/day; retinal toxicity
Sulfasalazine- 1-3 gm/day; monitor WBC
Leflunomide- 10-20 mg/day; watch for diarrhea, monitor LFT
Biological- costly
Etanercept- recombinant TNF receptor, given SC
Infliximab- chimeric monoclonal Ab against TNF, given IV
Adalimumab- human monoclonal Ab against TNF, given SC
Rituximab- chimeric Ab against CD20 on B-cells, given IV
9. Prognosis
Disability-
After 5 years- ~1/3rd
won’t be working
After 10 years- ~half
Poor prognostic factors
Early erosive disease
Rheumatoid nodules
+ve RF/anti-CCP Ab
Increased clinical severity
Mortality- lifespan reduced by ~5-10 yrs.
10. Prognosis
Disability-
After 5 years- ~1/3rd
won’t be working
After 10 years- ~half
Poor prognostic factors
Early erosive disease
Rheumatoid nodules
+ve RF/anti-CCP Ab
Increased clinical severity
Mortality- lifespan reduced by ~5-10 yrs.