Clinical Presentation
This type of arthritis often affects the knees, hips, and spine and presents with joint stiffness and pain that worsens with activity.
What is osteoarthritis?
This blood test is often positive in Rheumatoid Arthritis and can help confirm the diagnosis, although it may also be elevated in other autoimmune diseases.
What is Rheumatoid Factor (RF)?
In Osteoarthritis, this is the primary mechanism responsible for joint degradation, often leading to cartilage loss.
What is mechanical stress and wear-and-tear on the articular cartilage?
This class of drugs is used as first-line therapy for pain relief in Osteoarthritis, especially for mild to moderate pain.
What are NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)?
A 63-year-old woman with advanced Osteoarthritis of the hip presents with sudden onset of hip pain, inability to move the joint, and a leg length discrepancy. This complication is most likely due to which condition?
What is hip fracture?
A 55-year-old woman presents with symmetrical joint pain and swelling in her hands, wrists, and knees, along with prolonged morning stiffness. She has a history of fatigue and recent weight loss. Which condition is most likely?
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A patient with symmetrical joint involvement and morning stiffness lasting over 1 hour presents with elevated ESR and CRP. You suspect Rheumatoid Arthritis. Which test would be more specific than Rheumatoid Factor for confirming the diagnosis?
What is anti-CCP antibodies (Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide)?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by T-cell mediated inflammation that leads to synovial hyperplasia. This inflammation leads to formation of an abnormal tissue that erodes cartilage and bone. What is this abnormal tissue called?
What is pannus?
A 52-year-old woman with active Rheumatoid Arthritis is not responding well to methotrexate. What is the next step in her management?
What is adding a biologic DMARD (e.g., TNF inhibitor)?
A 58-year-old man with long-standing Rheumatoid Arthritis develops shortness of breath and a non-productive cough. The chest X-ray reveals bilateral infiltrates, and the CT scan shows honeycombing. What complication is he likely experiencing?
What is interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A patient with chronic joint pain develops a deformity characterized by hyperextension of the fingers at the PIP joint and flexion at the DIP joint. What is this deformity, and which condition is it associated with?
What is Bouchard’s deformity (associated with Osteoarthritis)?
In Osteoarthritis, this substance is found in increased amounts in the synovial fluid due to joint damage, leading to inflammation and pain.
What is pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1, TNF-α)?
For Osteoarthritis in the knee, this procedure is often considered when conservative treatments, such as NSAIDs and physical therapy, fail.
What is total knee replacement?
A patient with Osteoarthritis develops a painful, swollen mass behind the knee. What is this condition called, and what could be a complication if left untreated?
What is Baker’s cyst, and the complication is rupture, which can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT)-like symptoms.
A 48-year-old male with morning stiffness lasting 2 hours, fever, and weight loss presents with swollen, tender metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A 35-year-old woman with a positive anti-CCP and Rheumatoid Factor presents with symmetric joint pain, especially in her wrists and MCP joints. The patient also has a history of dry eyes and mouth. What is the next most appropriate diagnostic step?
What is salivary gland biopsy to confirm Sjögren's Syndrome as a complication of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
In Rheumatoid Arthritis, autoantibodies like anti-CCP play a role in disease pathogenesis. What is the mechanism by which anti-CCP antibodies contribute to joint destruction?
What is immune complex deposition in joints that triggers inflammatory processes and synovial destruction?
A patient with moderate-to-severe Rheumatoid Arthritis who is still symptomatic despite using methotrexate might benefit from this non-pharmacological intervention to control disease progression.
What is physical therapy and joint protection techniques?
A patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis presents with a swollen, painful wrist, fever, and weight loss. You suspect septic arthritis due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. What would be the best next step in management?
What is joint aspiration and culture of synovial fluid to identify the causative organism?
A 72-year-old patient with a history of obesity and knee pain notices a gradual increase in joint stiffness, particularly after prolonged sitting. There is also tenderness to palpation at the joint line. The X-ray shows joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation. What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is Osteoarthritis?
A patient with a positive family history of Rheumatoid Arthritis is at higher risk for developing the condition. Which gene is most strongly associated with the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
What is the HLA-DR4 gene?
In Osteoarthritis, chondrocyte apoptosis is a key feature. How does this process contribute to disease progression?
What is loss of cartilage repair capacity and an increase in the breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins?
In patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis who are pregnant, this drug, considered safer during pregnancy, is often used as a disease-modifying agent.
What is hydroxychloroquine?