INFO - Acute or insidious onset of RA

[Guest guest]

Medscape

2004

Sample Chapter: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diagnosis

Clinical Features and Disease Course

Excerpt:

" The onset of RA in adults may be either acute or insidious. In the latter

case, systemic manifestations may precede overt symptoms of arthritis by

months. In some patients, external events (e.g., major infections, surgical

procedures, trauma, or childbirth) precede the clinical onset. How these

events relate to pathogenesis is unknown. Small joints of the hands and feet

are usually involved at the outset, although large joints (e.g., knees and

ankles) are sometimes affected first. In about 10% of cases, monoarthritis

of a large joint can presage progression to polyarticular RA.

An insidious onset followed by progression to polyarticular involvement is

the most common course. Most patients experience some degree of joint

stiffness, especially in the morning after awakening, which may accompany or

precede joint swelling or pain. These symptoms are hallmarks of disease

activity and help distinguish RA from noninflammatory diseases such as

osteoarthritis. However, joint stiffness and swelling are not specific for

RA and can occur with other types of inflammatory arthritis. RA patients

frequently complain of morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes

(often up to several hours). "

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/487710_4

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for this information and also the one for shoulder

injections. They are very helpful. I do get stiff in the morning and

many of my joints bother me. So far now swelling or redness. My

rheum is good checking me for RA symptoms each time I see him.

hugs,

Debbie L

>

> Medscape

> 2004

> Sample Chapter: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Diagnosis

> Clinical Features and Disease Course

>

>

>

> Excerpt:

>

> " The onset of RA in adults may be either acute or insidious. In

the latter

> case, systemic manifestations may precede overt symptoms of

arthritis by

> months. In some patients, external events (e.g., major infections,

surgical

> procedures, trauma, or childbirth) precede the clinical onset. How

these

> events relate to pathogenesis is unknown. Small joints of the

hands and feet

> are usually involved at the outset, although large joints (e.g.,

knees and

> ankles) are sometimes affected first. In about 10% of cases,

monoarthritis

> of a large joint can presage progression to polyarticular RA.

>

> An insidious onset followed by progression to polyarticular

involvement is

> the most common course. Most patients experience some degree of

joint

> stiffness, especially in the morning after awakening, which may

accompany or

> precede joint swelling or pain. These symptoms are hallmarks of

disease

> activity and help distinguish RA from noninflammatory diseases

such as

> osteoarthritis. However, joint stiffness and swelling are not

specific for

> RA and can occur with other types of inflammatory arthritis. RA

patients

> frequently complain of morning stiffness that lasts more than 30

minutes

> (often up to several hours). "

>

> http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/487710_4

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>