All About Arthritis

Juliet Cohen asked:


Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55. The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury (leading to osteoarthritis), abnormal metabolism (such as gout and pseudogout), inheritance, infections, and for unclear reasons (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). There are many forms of arthritis .There are about 200 different kinds of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis (or degenerative arthritis), where the cartilage that protects the bones gets worn away. This makes joints stiff, painful and creaky. About 5 million people in the UK have osteoarthritis. OA is a chronic degenerative arthropathy that frequently leads to chronic pain and disability. With the aging of our population, this condition is becoming increasing prevalent and its treatment increasingly financially burdensome. Using radiographic criteria, the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand have been identified as the joints most commonly affected by OA, but they are the least likely to be symptomatic. Age is the most consistently identified risk factor for OA, regardless of the joint being studied. Prevalence rates for both radiographic OA and, to a lesser extent, symptomatic OA rise steeply after age 50 in men and age 40 in women. Occupation-related repetitive injury and physical trauma contribute to the development of secondary (non-idiopathic) OA, sometimes occurring in joints that are not affected by primary (idiopathic) OA, such as the metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists and ankles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s defence mechanisms go into action when there’s no threat and start attacking the joints and sometimes other parts of the body. RA affects 2.1 million Americans, or about 1% of the adult population in the United States. This disease is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men, and generally affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. However, young children can develop a form of RA called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Two of the 100 types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There are specific symptoms, distinguishing characteristics, as well as overlapping symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Rheumatoid arthritis is an additive polyarthritis, with the sequential addition of involved joints, in contrast to the migratory or evanescent arthritis of systemic lupus erythematosus or the episodic arthritis of gout. Occasionally, patients experience an explosive polyarticular onset occurring over 24 to 48 hours. Morning stiffness, persisting more than one hour but often lasting several hours, may be a feature of any inflammatory arthritis but is especially characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Its duration is a useful gauge of the inflammatory activity of the disease.

Psoriatic arthritis is related to the skin condition psoriasis. It occurs more commonly in patients with tissue type HLA-B27. There are five clinical patterns of psoriatic arthritis. First is Asymmetrical mono- and oligoarticular arthritis (30-50% of cases) is the most common presentation of psoriatic arthritis. Second is symmetrical polyarticular arthritis (30-50% of cases) is ultimately the most common form of psoriatic arthritis. Third is distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint involvement (25% of cases) is nearly always associated with nail manifestationsm. Fourth is Arthritis mutilans is affects less than 5% of patients and is a severe, deforming and destructive arthritis. This condition can progress over months or years causing severe joint damage. Fifth is Axial arthritis (30-35% of cases) may be different in character from ankylosing spondylitis, the prototypical HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathy. It may present as sacro-iliitis, which may be asymmetrical and asymptomatic, or spondylitis, which may occur without sacro-iliitis and may affect any level of the spine in “skip” fashion. Genetic factors appear to play an important role. There is a 70% concordance for psoriasis in monozygotic twins. There is a 50-fold increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis in first-degree relatives of patients with the disease. Environmental factors have been implicated. Streptococcal infection can precipitate the development of guttate psoriasis. HIV infection can present with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as worsen existing disease.

Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. Gout was once incorrectly thought to be a disease of the rich and famous, caused by consuming too much rich food and fine wine. Gout is a disease due to a congenital disorder of uric acid metabolism. Uric acid is produced when purines are broken down by enzymes in the liver. Purines can be generated by the body itself (via the breakdown of cells in normal cellular turnover) or can be ingested in purine-rich foods (e.g. seafood, beer). Gout usually attacks the big toe (approximately 75% of first attacks), however it can also affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and spine. In some cases the condition may appear in the joints of the small toes which have become immobile due to impact injury earlier in life, causing poor blood circulation that leads to gout. Chronic gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones. An acute attack of gout is a highly inflammatory arthritis often with intense swelling, redness and warmth surrounding the joint. The inflammatory component is so intense, an acute attack of gout is often mistaken for a bacterial cellulitis. Gout is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids (also called steroids), may be prescribed for people who cannot take NSAIDs. Steroids also work by decreasing inflammation. Steroids can be injected into the affected joint or given as pills. Colchicine is often used to treat gout and usually begins working within a few hours of taking it.

Septic arthritis also known is Pyogenic arthritis. Septic arthritis is infection, usually bacterial, in the joint cavity. Septic arthritis usually affects just one joint, though occasionally it may occur in more than one joint at a time. It is the most dangerous form of acute arthritis. The joint cavity is usually a sterile space, with synovial fluid and cellular matter including a few white blood cells. Many different types of bacteria (germs) can cause septic arthritis. Infection with a bacterium called Staph. aureus is the most common cause. Septic arthritis is inflammation of a synovial membrane with purulent effusion into the joint capsule, usually due to bacterial infection. This disease entity also is referred to in the literature as bacterial, suppurative, purulent, or infectious arthritis. The most common bacterial isolates in native joints include gram-positive cocci, with S. aureus found in 40% to 50% of the cases. Septic arthritis is uncommon from age 3 to adolescence. Children with septic arthritis are more likely than adults to be infected with group B streptococcus and Haemophilus influenza. Young children and older adults are most likely to develop septic arthritis. As the population ages, doctors are finding that septic arthritis is becoming more common. Symptoms of septic arthritis occur suddenly and are characterized by severe pain, swelling in the affected joint along with acute pain. Chills and fever are also common symptoms. Chronic septic arthritis (which occurs less frequently) is caused by organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans. The knee and the hip are the most commonly infected joints.



Kansieo.com

Cindy Heller asked:


American Arthritis Foundation is the leading and most viable non-profit health organization that handles arthritis. They also sponsor all sorts of arthritis studies to treat arthritis in addition to providing educational information on arthritis to patients. Its vision is to assume the management of arthritis by making efforts to prevent, manage and find a cure for arthritis.

Arthritis is the foremost cause of disability in America and the American Arthritis Foundation has five hundreds thousand volunteers and one hundred and fifty outlets that provide all sorts of courses and services to enable people to manage and combat arthritis. Educational books and comprehensively booklets on the management and surviving with arthritis are provided as well.

American Arthritis Foundation has so far injected above three hundred millions to research and employ more than two thousands scientists, health care professional and physicians since 1948 to provide the leading edge arthritis research. An approximate seventy million Americans are afflicted with arthritis and the foundation makes sure that policies are geared towards as well as promoting efforts towards its vision.

With arthritis as the foremost course of disability in America, no effort is spared by the American Arthritis Foundation to prevent, manage and search for a cure for arthritis and its condition. Arthritis Today is the American Arthritis Foundation magazine to promote the management and prevention of arthritis. It is published once every two months and sends a clear message that arthritis is to be contained and overcome.

One of the program that the American Arthritis Foundation has founded is the Let’s Talk RA program that they work in conjunction with the Bristol-Meyers Squibb to inform patients on how to manage their rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For starters, it is necessary to get a copy of Let’s Talk RA Communication Kit that encompasses a Participant Survey, a Communication Guide, a Health Assessment Questionnaire in addition to relevant information that are provided by Bristol-Meyers Squibb and the American Arthritis Foundation.

It is essential for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to get some assistant while undergoing treatment in addition to managing their disease. Through getting a copy of the Let’s Talk RA Communication Kit, they have made a constructive decision in managing their condition as the American Arthritis Foundation calls for active involvement in their fight against the disease.

Osteoarthritis is a form of disability and most will have to forego active participation in their daily lives but they are instances of people getting on with life and one such example is John Elway who was once a Denver Bronco player but became spokesperson for Game Plan for OA, part of the American Arthritis Foundation program. John Elway has demonstrated that sticking to the guidelines provided can help one to manage arthritis in addition to assist them to lead normal lives.

The American Arthritis Foundation works closely with clinical experts, scientists from various research firms in addition to companies that are committed to arthritis and the associated conditions to make a compilation of new developments of arthritis on a annual basis. In addition to, the American Arthritis Foundation researchers that found new pathways that controls the damages to joints that are linked to inflammatory arthritis.

All the relevant information related to arthritis from 1985 to 2006 can be found in the American Arthritis Foundation. The figures for the corresponding period of arthritis patients has gone up from thirty five million to forty six million and arthritis is chronic and the one of the foremost cause of disability for people that are age fifteen years and above, just after heart disease.

Arthritis foundation is spreading to all corners world and in Singapore; the National Arthritis Foundation is a reputable charity that was formed in 1984. It is the biggest of its kind that spends all its time devoted to helping arthritis patients as well as educates them and the public on arthritis. In addition it does a lot of researches into arthritis and is also a coordinating as well as managing closely with pharmaceutical bodies plus specialists in arthritis to fulfill its aim.

The mission of the National Arthritis Foundation is to provide support for the patients and fight against arthritis in addition to do research to combat arthritis plus educating public and the patients on arthritis. With its one thousand members that cover the whole spectrum of society that include patients, caregivers in addition to those that are concerned with arthritis plus health professional. The National Arthritis Foundation has an elected general council and executive committee to oversee its operation. Arthritis is a worldwide disease that afflicted many older citizens and should be treated very seriously.



arthritis

cptan asked:


One of the common ailments among the elderly is arthritis. A disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, arthritis has been rated as the number one cause of physical disability in some countries like the United States. Unlike other debilitating diseases, arthritis can affect people of both sexes and of all races, socioeconomic levels as well as geographic areas.

Arthritis, in basic terms, means joint inflammation. A joint is where two or more bones meet, for example, the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, elastic material called cartilage. The cartilage acts as cushion to the bones, which enables the joint to move without pain. The joint is also lined by a thin film of tissue called synovium that produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction between the bones. When any area in and around the joint becomes inflamed, it could lead to pain, swelling and even limited mobility.

Primary and Secondary

Arthritis can be segregated into two distinct types, namely primary and secondary Arthritis. Primary Arthritis is often referred to as the ‘wear-and-tear’ Arthritis, as it is associated with aging and the degeneration of the cartilage with the advent of age. In fact, the older a person gets, the more likely he or she will experience some form of primary Arthritis. Aside from age, there is no apparent cause for primary Arthritis. Secondary Arthritis, on the other hand, can be traced to an apparent cause. The breakdown of cartilage in this case can be linked to causes such as obesity, injury, hereditary, etc

Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis affects each individual differently and at varying severity. Despite this, several general Arthritis Symptoms have been identified. They are:

*joint soreness after periods of inactivity or even overuse.

*morning stiffness that usually does not last more than 30 minutes.

*pain from weakened muscles surrounding the joint.

*decline in coordination, posture and movement due to pain and stiffness.

Who is At Risk

Arthritis often affects middle-aged and older people. Men under the age of 55 are more likely to be afflicted compared to women of the same age group. However, beyond the age of 55, women are the more commonly affected. Overall, there are more women with OA compared to men because it is believed that the broader female hip places continuing stress on the knees, which may lead to the development of Arthritis.

Risk Factors

Despite being one of the oldest forms of arthritis, the cause for Arthritis is still not completely known. However, several risk factors that may lead to Arthritis have been identified. These factors include:

Age

An important risk factor, as wear and tear plays a significant part in the development of Arthritis. In short, the incidences of Arthritis increase with age and with more use of the joints.

Obesity

Next to age, body weight is another crucial factor in developing Arthritis. This is especially so for the knees, as they are the joints that carry the brunt of the body weight. According to the Arthritis Foundation, for every pound of weight you gain, you are in fact adding 3 pounds of pressure on your knees and 6 times the pressure on your hips.

Genetics

Genetics is fast becoming a prevalent factor in Arthritis development, especially in the hands. For instance, a person may have inherited a defect in the genes responsible for making cartilage. Also, those born with joint abnormalities, for example scoliosis of the spine, are more likely to develop OA in that particular part as well.

Injury or Overusing Joints

Injuries, be it from sport or daily activity, also contribute to the occurrence of Arthritis. Athletes who have experienced knee related injuries may be at higher risk of having OA. Similarly, the stress placed on certain joints from daily repetitive motions, for example, from typing or operating machinery, may lead to the development of Arthritis later in life.

Muscle Weakness

According to the Arthritis Foundation, studies have shown that the weakening of muscles in and around the knee area can be a precursor to OA. At the same time, these studies also revealed that strengthening the thigh muscle can help to reduce the risk of Arthritis.

Other Diseases

Other than the above factors, the presence of other diseases or conditions also contribute directly to the development of Arthritis. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to having Arthritis. Similarly, those with conditions such as hemachromotosis or too much iron can experience chronic cartilage deterioration that may lead to Arthritis.



Create a video blog…instantly.

Nathan Wei asked:


There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis. Most of them involve inflammation. When a patient goes to a rheumatologist to get a diagnosis, there is a process of elimination in order to arrive at the proper diagnosis. This process of elimination is called “differential diagnosis.”

Differential diagnosis can be a difficult undertaking because so many forms of arthritis, particularly inflammatory forms of arthritis look alike. The following is a list of types of inflammatory arthritis that can be seen and must be considered when evaluating a patient with inflammatory symptoms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease, that may affect any joint in the body but preferentially attacks the peripheral joints (fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. It can also affect non-joint organ systems such as the lung, eye, skin, and cardiovascular system. The onset of RA may be insidious-slow- with nonspecific symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, weight loss, and vague aches and pains, or it may have an abrupt onset with inflammation involving multiple joints. The joint symptoms usually occur bilaterally and are symmetric. Damage to joints- called “erosions” can be seen with magnetic resonance imaging early on or by x-ray later in the course of disease. Approximately 80% of patients with RA will have elevated levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibodies.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

JRA describes a group of arthritic conditions that occur in children under the age of 16. Three forms of JRA exist, including oligoarticular (1-4 joints), polyarticular (> 4 joints), and systemic-onset or Still’s disease. The latter is associated with significant internal organ involvement and may also present with fever and rash in addition to joint disease. Polyarticular JRA is considered to be the type that is most similar to adult RA, and is responsible for approximately 30% of cases of JRA. Most children with polyarticular JRA are negative for RF and their prognosis is usually good. Roughly, 20% of polyarticular JRA patients will have elevated RF, and these patients appear to be at more risk for chronic, progressive joint destruction and damage. Uveitis- an inflammatory condition of the eye- is a common finding in oligoarticular JRA, especially in patients who are antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive. The dangerous feature of uveitis is that it can cause relatively few symptoms so careful screening is recommended in order to avoid blindness.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

SLE is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can involve the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and blood vessel walls. At least 4 of the following symptoms which have been formulated by the American College of Rheumatology are generally present for a diagnosis to be made:

• Red, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, affecting the cheeks;

• Typical skin rash on other parts of the body;

• Sensitivity to sunlight;

• Mouth sores;

• Joint inflammation (arthritis);

• Fluid around the lungs, heart, or other organs;

• Kidney dysfunction;

• Low white blood cell count, low red blood cell count due to hemolytic anemia, or low platelet count;

• Nerve or brain dysfunction;

• Positive results of a blood test for ANA; and

• Positive results of a blood test for antibodies to double-stranded DNA or other antibodies including anti-Smith antibodies or antiphospholipid antibodies.

Patients with lupus can have significant inflammatory arthritis. That is why lupus can be difficult to distinguish from RA, especially if other signs and symptoms of lupus are minimal.

Inflammatory Muscle Disease

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are types of inflammatory muscle disease. These conditions typically present with bilateral (both sides) large muscle weakness. In the case of DM, rash can be a presenting sign. Diagnosis consists of four major features, including elevation of creatine kinase (CPK), signs and symptoms such as muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzymes (creatine kinase, aldolase), electromyograph (EMG) abnormalities, and a positive muscle biopsy. Often, laboratory test abnormalities can be seen including the presence of autoantibodies such antinuclear antibody (ANA), and the myositis-associated antibodies.

In both PM and DM, inflammatory arthritis can be present and can look like RA — including lung involvement. In RA, however, unless an overlap syndrome – ie., a patient having both RA as well as muscle disease) is present, muscle function should be normal. Also, in PM and DM, erosive joint disease is unlikely. RF and anti-CCP antibodies are typically elevated in RA and not PM or DM.

Spondyloarthropathies (SA)

A group of arthritic conditions called the spondyloarthropathies which include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and enteropathic arthritis are a category of disease that cause inflammation throughout the entire body, particularly in parts of the spine and at other joints where tendons attach to bones. They also can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, upper and lower back, tendonitis, bursitis, heel pain, and fatigue. They are often called seronegative arthritis. The term ’seronegative’ means that tests for lab markers such as rheumatoid factor are negative. Symptoms of adult SA include:

• Back and/or joint pain;

• Morning stiffness;

• Tenderness near bones;

• Sores on the skin;

• Inflammation of the joints on both sides of the body;

• Skin or mouth ulcers;

• Rash on the bottom of the feet; and

• Eye inflammation.

In some cases of SA, peripheral arthritis resembling RA can be present. Careful history and physical examination can usually distinguish between these syndromes, especially if an obvious disease that is aggravating inflammation is present (psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease). In addition, since RA rarely affects the end joints of the fingers (DIP joints), if these joints are involved from inflammatory arthritis, the diagnosis of an SA is favored. Usually, RF and anti-CCP antibodies are negative in SA, although in some cases of psoriatic arthritis there may be elevations of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Crystal Associated Arthritis

Monosodium Urate Disease (Gout)

Gout is due to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in a joint. Gouty arthritis is typically sudden in onset, very painful, with signs of significant inflammation on exam (red, warm, swollen joints). Gout can affect almost any joint in the body, but typically affects “cooler” regions including the toes, feet, ankles, knees, and hands. Diagnosis is made by withdrawing fluid from a joint and examining the fluid under a polarizing microscope. Patients may also have elevated serum levels of uric acid.

In most cases, gout is an acute disease that affects one joint and is easily distinguished from RA. However, in rare cases, chronic erosive inflammation can develop and affect multiple joints. And, in cases where tophi (deposits of uric acid under the skin) are present, it can be difficult to distinguish from erosive RA. However, crystal analysis of joints or tophi and blood tests should be helpful in distinguishing gout from RA.

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD; Pseudogout)

CPPD disease is caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystals in a joint. The body’s reaction to these crystals, leads to significant inflammation. Diagnosis includes:

• Detailed medical history and physical exam;

• Withdrawing fluid from a joint using a needle;

• Joint x-rays to show crystals deposited on the cartilage (chondrocalcinosis);

• Blood tests to rule out other diseases (e.g., RA or osteoarthritis).

In most cases, CPPD arthritis presents with acute arthritis affecting one or more joints. However, in some cases, CPPD disease can present with chronic symmetric multiple joint erosive arthritis similar to RA. RA and CPPD disease can usually be distinguished by joint fluid examination demonstrating calcium pyrophosphate crystals, and by blood tests, including RF and anti-CCP antibodies, which should be negative in CCPD arthritis.

Sarcoid Arthritis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory type of arthritis. The majority of patients with this disease have lung disease, with eye and skin disease being the next most frequent signs of disease. In most cases, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be made on clinical and x-ray presentation alone. Patients will have acute arthritis, painful nodules under the skin on the shins (erythema nodosum), and a chest x-ray showing enlargement of lymph niodes. In some cases, the demonstration of a specific type of inflammation change, called a noncaseating granuloma on tissue biopsy, is necessary for definitive diagnosis.

Arthritis can be present in approximately 15% of patients with sarcoidosis, and in rare cases can be the only sign of disease. In acute sarcoid arthritis, joint disease is usually rapid in onset, symmetric, involving the ankle joints. The knees, wrists, and small joints of the hands can be involved. In most cases of acute disease, lung and skin disease are also present. Chronic sarcoid arthritis typically involves one or maybe a few joints and due to its often erosive nature can be difficult to distinguish from RA.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) / Temporal Arthritis

PMR is a form of arthritis that leads to inflammation of tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joints. It is characterized by large muscle (shoulders, hips, thighs, neck) pain, aching, morning stiffness, fatigue, and in some cases, fever. It can be associated with temporal arthritis/giant-cell arthritis (TA/GCA) which is a related but more serious condition in which inflammation of large blood vessels can lead to complications such as blindness, aneurysms and cramping pain in the arms or legs (limb claudication) due to inflammation and narrowing of the large blood vessels in the chest and extremities. PMR is diagnosed when the clinical picture is accompanied by elevated markers of inflammation (ESR and/or CRP). If temporal arthritis is suspected (headache, vision changes, limb claudication), biopsy of a temporal artery may be necessary to make the diagnosis.

PMR and TA/GCA can present with symmetric inflammatory arthritis similar to RA. These diseases can usually be distinguished by blood tests. In addition, headaches, acute vision changes, and large muscle pain are uncommon in RA, and if these are present, PMR and/or TA/GCA should be considered.

Infectious Arthritis

Many infections can present with arthritis either due to direct joint infection or due to autoimmune joint inflammation. In most cases, infections lead to acute single joint arthritis; however, in some cases, chronic arthritis affecting a few or many joints can be present. Because missed infections can lead to significant complications, it is crucial to have a high index of suspicion for infection in any patient presenting with acute or chronic arthritis.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an infection due to a type of bacteria called a spirochete. The disease is manifested by a skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms, caused from the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms may include:

• A skin rash, often resembling a bulls-eye (target lesion);

• Fever;

• Headache;

• Muscle pain;

• Stiff neck; and

• Swelling of knees and other large joints.

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is typically made by blood testing. If, however, chronic single joint arthritis develops, joint fluid analysis or joint tissue biopsy may be necessary for diagnosis. Lyme arthritis can usually be distinguished from RA by clinical presentation and blood tests.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF)

Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may develop after an infection with the Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat or scarlet fever). The disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain. Symptoms include:

• Fever;

• Joint pain;

• Arthritis (mainly in the knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists);

• Joint swelling; redness or warmth;

• Abdominal pain;

• Skin rash

• Skin nodules;

• A peculiar movement disorder (Sydenham’s chorea)

• Nosebleeds;

• Heart problems, which can be asymptomatic.

The diagnosis of ARF is made by clinical assessment and blood testing for antibodies against streptococcal proteins. ARF and RA can have similar clinical features including arthritis and nodules. However, ARF can usually be distinguished from RA by clinical presentation. Rash and migratory arthritis are unusual in RA. The use of blood tests is also helpful.

Viral arthritis (hepatitis B and C, parvovirus, EBV, HIV)

Arthritis may be a symptom of many viral illnesses. This makes viral infections a great masquerader. The duration is usually short, and it usually disappears on its own without any lasting effects. Clinical features in adults:

• Joint symptoms occur in up to 60%. These can be symmetric and affect the small joints of the hands, wrists, and ankles as well as the knees. Morning stiffness is also present.

• Parvovirus B19 is a very common viral infection that looks like RA.

• Diagnosis of viral arthritis is made by serologic testing. A high percentage of patients with hepatitis C may have elevated titers of RF. Therefore, RF testing is not helpful in distinguishing between hepatitis C infection and RA. However, in these situations, testing for anti-CCP can be helpful as anti-CCP antibodies have not been shown to be significantly elevated in isolated hepatitis C infections.

So as you can see… “it ain’t easy…”



Caffeinated Content