Physical Findings

Stop & Think

Lab and X-Ray

Differential Diagnosis

The Disease

Treatment

Conclusions

Quiz & Evaluation

• First and foremost, it's a systemic disease!
• Arises in a genetically susceptible person.
• Some kind of external trigger (EB?)
• Autoimmune destruction.
• May involve:
• Eyes
• Skin and vessels
• Lungs
• Heart
• Spleen (Felty's syndrome)
• Nervous system
• In the joints, it starts a synovial process.
• Panus leads to destruction of articular cartilage.
• Small joints of the hands.
• Can lead to marked deformity.
• Both T and B cell activation.
• Rheumatoid factor plays a roll in Dx and disease.