Joint disease autoimmune inflammatory

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory joint disease. It is a progressive symmetrical, destructive and deforming polyarthritis affecting proxi-... 

Q10 Maria appears to be suffering from pernicious anaemia, which is due to failure of B12 absorption. In her case the underlying problem may be her rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory condition. In autoimmune diseases the immune system attacks and damages normal tissues, including both joints and the stomach mucosa, which produces the intrinsic factor needed for Bi2 absorption. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An episodic inflammatory systemic disease with autoimmune pathogenetic mechanisms. It primarily affects the joints, causing symmetrical lesions and severe damage to the affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory joint disease (prevalence about 0.5-1%). 

Osteoarthritis proves to be a more complex disease than autoimmune disease, with multiple variable manifestations like knee, hip, hand, DIP, elbow, shoulder, and spinal joints OA, which have different risk factors. The etiology of OA is multifactorial with inflammatory, metabolic and mechanical causes. A number of personal and environmental risk factors, such as obesity, occupation, and trauma, may initiate various pathological pathways. OA comprises degeneration of articular cartilage together with changes in subchondral bone of the joint margins and mild intraarticular inflammation. 

Rheumatic fever is now less common in developed countries, but in Hannah s youth it was an important cause of heart disease. The illness is due to infection with beta-haemolytic ( -haemolytic) streptococci, which cause a sore throat. In some young people, the bacterium induces antibody-mediated autoimmune responses, which initiate inflammatory changes in joints and heart valves, particularly in the mitral valve. Inflammation thickens and may partly fuse the cusps ofthe mitral valve, making it narrow and unable to close properly in ventricular systole. Eventually, cardiac output decreases and the ventricle begins to fail from overwork. Since blood is not pumped effectively from the left ventricle, pulmonary congestion develops. 

Maria s medical notes show that she has mild rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease), the condition is not severe and her joint pain is well controlled by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), taken twice a day. She is not trying to diet and apparently has a well-balanced food intake, but reports that she has recently had several minor stomach upsets and colds. A blood sample is taken for analysis, including a differential white blood cell count. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the joints and cartilage destruction. Several studies discussed above have demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential of GLA-containing oils. These studies suggest that GLA-rich oils can be used to treat inflammatory conditions. 

Alkylosing spondylids is an inflammatory autoimmune reac-dve arthrids wdth a primary end organ target of the intervertebral Joints and the sacroiliac joint at the hip. The characterisdc features are a bowled spine and inflamed joints. Compared wdth 8% of Caucasians as a w hole, 95% of people wdth alkylosing spondylids have the HLA B27 allele. Unlike many autoimmune diseases, alkylosing spondylids is more common in men and has an early onset betw een 20 and 40 m years of age. 

Te use of NSAIDS and other anti-inflammatory therapies are similar to those used in other autoimmune arthritic disorders. Corticosteroid injections for severe pain and inflammation at specific joints are standard therapy. For severe forms of the disease immunomoduladng and-rheumatic drugs such as methodexate and sulfasalazine are effecdve. As with other similar disorders, the biologic TNF a inhibitors are currently prescribed for severe Reiter s synchome. 

Reiter s Syndrome is an inflammatory arthritis that produces pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joints. It is one of a family of arthritic disorders, called spondylarthropathies, affecting the vertebral joints The symptoms of Reiter s disease include fever, weight loss, skin rash, inflammation, ulcerations, and pain. Unlike many autoimmune disorders, Reiter s syndrome usually affects young white men between the ages of 20 and 40. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that if left untreated results in progressive joint destruction, deformity, disability, and premature death. Theories of possible etiologies include genetic, hormonal, viral, autoimmune, and environmental factors. The disease peaks between the fourth through sixth decades of life and is two to three times more common in women than in men. Differences in prevalence rates between ethnic groups are small. 

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A chronic, remitting-relapsing inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting multiple organ systems, such as the skin, joints, serosal membranes, kidneys, blood cells, and central nervous system. The disease is very heterogeneous in clinical expression and serological factors. Autoantibodies directed against nuclear components ( - antinuclear antibodies) are typically detected. Anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, and antiphospholipid antibodies are used as classification criteria. 

---