Rheumatoid Arthritis

definition

chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease 

insidious

systemic-->skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscle 

joints--> hands, feet, wrists, shoulders. 

sterile proliferative and inflammatory synovitis

destruction of the cartilage and ankylosis

Uncontrooled-->cartilage erosion-->joint destruction-->shorter life span.

Rheumatoid Arthirtis

Epidemiology

3F: 1M

•  
  • Peak incidence is 30-35y, 
  • Genetic susceptibility, strongly associated with the HLA-DR4 (MCH II allele)
  •  lesser extent to the HLA-DR1 and HLA-DR14 genotypes

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Etiology

•  
  • Origin of the autoimmune inflammatory process is unknown
  • Unknown antigen