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

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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

7. Rheumatoid arthritis synovitis fibrous ankylosis bony ankylosis
osteoporosis

8. Rheumatoid arthritis

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

10. 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

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

12. 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 )

13. 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

14. Rheumatoid arthritis

15. References: