Naslov
Laboratory standards in diagnosis and therapy monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis

Autori
Tešija Kuna, Andrea

Izvornik
EJournal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (1650-3414) 17 (2006), 3; 81-89

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
Rheumatoid arthritis ; Rheumatoid factor ; Antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides ; Biological markers

Sažetak
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease with a prevalence of 0.5% to 1% in the general population and a male to female ratio of 2.5:1. The disease usually manifests at the age of 40-70 years, its incidence rising with age. The lowest prevalence of RA is reported from rural Africa, and highest in particular groups of native Americans (Pima and Chippewa). Mainly, it is an inflammation of the synovial membrane (which lines the joint cavity and secretes synovial fluid acting as a 'lubricant') and hyperplasia of the synovial tissue with considerable infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and plasma cells. Typical clinical symptoms of RA include symmetrical synovitis, which initially involves only one pair of small finger joints (proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints) with painful episodes and erythema. During the disease characterized by acute inflammatory episodes, destructive changes of the joints develop and result in deformity and progressive functional impairment. RA is also a systemic inflammatory disorder with extra-articular manifestations such as rheumatoid nodes in subcutaneous tissues, pleuritis, pericarditis, ulcerations, and digital gangrene due to immune complex deposits.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Farmacija

POVEZANOST RADA