- Hands (primarily MCPs & PIPs), Wrists, Feet, Ankles
- Morning stiffness >30-60 min.
- Symptoms present >6 weeks
- ≥3 joints
- May present atypically w/ Monoarticular disease
- Rheumatoid Factor: >50 IU/mL 95% sensitive (not specific)
- Cyclic Citrulinated Peptide antibodies (CCP): >95% specific
- Joint Erosions on XR (hands, feet, wrists, ankles)
- SeroNegative RA may occur in 1/3 of patients
- NOTE: High level seropositivity in general population
- Variable remissions, relapses, resolution
- Can permanently cripple
- Interstitial lung disease can be fatal
- Immunocompromising (both the disease & its Tx)
See posting Polyarthralgias.
DiagnosisDude 