Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (polyarthritis progressiva primaria chronica) is a chronic inflammation characterized by synovial hypertrophy with infiltration by inflammatory cells, destruction of articular cartilage and decalcification of bone (osteoporosis). Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the production of antibodies (RF – rheumatoid factor, ANF – antinuclear factors) and acute phase proteins. Clinically, rheumatoid arthritis can be decribed as symmetrical polyarthritis, which predilectionally affects the small joints of the hand and radiocarpal joints, with prolonged morning stiffness.

Occurence[edit | edit source]

Rheumatoid arthritis is 2-3 times more common in women. Symptoms develop most often between the ages of 20 and 40. However, there is also juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which primarily affects large joints.

Etiology[edit | edit source]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammation that is often associated with the HLA-DR₄ or DR₁ immunophenotype. The initiator is believed to be an as yet unknown microbial pathogen (EBV, retroviruses, parvoviruses, Borrelia etc. are being considered). It is not known exactly which antigen the autoimmune reaction is directed against – probably against collagen type II or against cartilage glycoprotein 39 (it binds to DR₄). Rheumatoid factor occurs in 80% of patients, i.e. antibodies against the F_c fragment of IgG.

Pathological-anatomical changes[edit | edit source]

The first changes are in the synovium, then in the fluid, in the cartilage and finally in the para-articular. First, serofibrinous intra-articular inflammation develops, the pannus forms. Pannus is a villous overgrown synovial membrane, in which ligaments and blood vessels proliferate excessively. It covers the articular cartilage, seperating it from the nourishing synovial fluid. As a result, chondrocytes disappear and subchondral bone mass is gradually eroded. If the pannus growing from opposite sides of the joint joins, it can further fibrotic change, ossify, and finally ankylosis occurs.

Another morphological manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis are rheumatic nodules, which arise mainly in the subcutaneous tissue . Histologically, they consist of three layers:

Histology − involvement of the knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis (chronic synovitis)

centrally there is necrotic tissue,
around it is a layer of palisade fibroblasts and multinucleated cells,
peripherally there is a layer of chronic inflammation.

Clinical picture[edit | edit source]

Joint disorders[edit | edit source]

Symmetric polyarthritis

Initially, the joints of the hand are affected (starting from the periphery → proximal interphalangeal → „bottle fingers“; metacarpophalangeal; radiocarpal). It usually does not affect the distal interphalangeal. Later, ulnar deviation of the fingers, swan neck deformities (hyperextension in the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexion in the distal interphalangeal joint) and buttonhole deformities (flexion in the proximal interphalangeal joint and hyperextension in the distal interphalangeal joint) are typical. The joints are painful at rest, during palpation and movement, there is morning stiffness (it takes more than an hour to move). The joints have the classic signs of inflammation in addition to redness. In more severe cases, chronic inflammation can lead to volar subluxation of the wrist and rupture of finger tendons. The activity of the process is fluctuating, often depending on the weather.

Damage to individual joints

Elbow disorders - flexion contractures.
Shoulder joints rotator cuff ruptures.
Hip joints - affected less often.
Knee joints – angular deformities and flexion contractures. Fluid may enter the popliteal bursa – Baker's cyst. On the leg, hammertoes and hallux valgus are typical findings.

Spine

Affected mainly in the neck region, the involvement of the atlantoaxial joint with subluxation is severe (neck and head pain, spinal cord compression). Sudden death can also be a complication of subluxation.

Impairment of the temporomandibular joint

It causes pain when chewing.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Impairment of the joints of the hand - ulnar deviation. Image on the right − rheumatoid nodules above joints 3.-5. finger

Course of the disease[edit | edit source]

There are 3 types of the course of the disease:

monocyclic – one cycle of the disease followed by remission lasting more than 1 year;
polycyclic – slowly progressing course with episodes of incomplete remissions (most common);
progressive – permanent progression without remissions.

Extra-articular disability[edit | edit source]

The disease can be accompanied by extra-articular disabilities:

rheumatoid nodes (under the skin, especially above the elbows and above the proximal edge of the ulna), usually multiple, usually painful nodules, up to several cm in size;
tendosynovitis (mainly in the hands, tendon ruptures with the development of deformities - swan neck, buttonhole);
osteoporosis (initially periarticular, later diffuse - pathological fractures);
secondary amyloidosis (AA, especially kidney damage);
hematological abnormalities (mainly anemia, thrombocytosis);
eye disorders (iritis, iridocyclitis, keratoconjunctivitis);
damage to the skin, heart, blood vessels, nerves, lungs, etc.

A healthy joint and a joint affected by rheumatoid arthritis

Diagnostics[edit | edit source]

Laboratory finding[edit | edit source]

Inflammatory markers (↑ FW, CRP).
Antibodies:
- rheumatoid factor (RF) – antibody (mostly IgM) against Fc fragments of IgG, demonstrated by latex-fixation test;
- anti-CCP – antibody against cyclic citrullinated peptide, are more specific for RA than rheumatoid factors;
- APF – antiperinuclear factors;
- ANF – antinuclear factors.
Punctate (biochemically RF, high content of polymorphonuclear cells).

X-ray changes[edit | edit source]

Early – swelling of soft tissues near the joints, periarticular osteoporosis, marginal bone erosion.
Late – narrowing of the joint space, diffuse osteoporosis, deformities, bone ankylosis.

Four stages according to Steinbrocker were introduced for the evaluation of X-ray images.

Stage	Characteristics
Stage I	periarticular osteoporosis, no destruction
Stage II	slight signs of destruction, no deformities
Stage III	destruction of cartilage and bone, deformities
Stage IV	fibrous or bony ankylosis

Furthermore, scintigraphy can be used in the diagnosis (it will show the distribution of the disability in individual joints).

Criteria for diagnosis[edit | edit source]

For the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, the presence of 4 of the 7 criteria is important:

morning stiffness;
arthritis of 3 or more areas;
arhtritis of the joints of the hand (RC, MCP, PIP);
symmetrical arthritis;
rheumatoid nodules;
rheumatoid factor (RF);
X-ray changes.

Therapy[edit | edit source]

Regime measures[edit | edit source]

In the acute stage, bed rest, prevention of contractures, antalgic splints, etc.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation[edit | edit source]

Maintaining the range of motion in the joint, preventing muscle weakness.

Pharmacotherapy[edit | edit source]

The basis of pharmacological treatment is disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs = disease modifying antirheumatic drugs).

Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs)[edit | edit source]

This includes two groups of drugs:

conventional,
biological treatment.

Conventional drugs

metothrexate – the most frequently used drug, the drug of first choice,
leflunomid – inhibitor of pyrimidine nucleotides, has effects similar to methotrexate,
sulfazaine,
hydroxychlorine and chlorochine – have the weakest effect.

Biological treatment

TNFα inhibitors – etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab pegol
rituximab – a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the CD20 molecule,
abatacept – blocks T-lymphocyte activation by blocking the costimulatory signal,
tocilizumab – an antibody against the receptor for IL-6,
anakinra – IL-1 receptor antagonist.

Other medications[edit | edit source]

non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs and analgetics – only symptomatic drugs – COX₁ inhibitors – diclofenac, indometacine, selective COX₂ inhibitors – nimesulid, coxib;
corticoids – generally (prednisone) or intra-articularly (triamcinolone) – to bridge the period until the onset of effect of DMARDs.

Surgical treatment[edit | edit source]

synovectomy (possibly also by radiation application of yttrium isotope to the joint);
total endoprosthesis;
arthrodesis (fixation of the joint in a favorable position, pain relief, most often the radiocarpal area).