• Describe the main features of the autoimmune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis, and how is is usually treated.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition

Mainly characterised by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. May lead to long-term joint damage, which would result in chronic pain, loss of function, and disability

it has a 3x larger prevalence in Females:Males

30-50yrs most commonly affected

which joints can be affected?

Foot

ankle

knee (synovial effusions + thickenings detected easily)

Hip (common but early manifestations not usually detectable)

Hands + Wrists (Usually affects all people with RA)

Elbow (Effusion difficult to detect during examination, usually shown by lack of motion)

Shoulders (Neck stiffness and general motor loss)

Organs affected…