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Section 14: Rheumatologic Disorders
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Risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis (OA) include:
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B. Participation in running
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The answer is D. Participation in sports and advancing age are both independent risk factors for the development of OA. Refer to Etiology section.
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Patient education for OA, such as programs in which volunteers regularly contact patients
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A. Has not yet been demonstrated to provide benefit to OA patients
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B. Is too expensive to recommend for general use by OA patients
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C. Should emphasize the “wear and tear” nature of OA as part of the educational message
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D. Has been shown to improve pain and functional status of OA patients
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The answer is D. A variety of patient education programs have been shown to improve pain and function in OA patients, including volunteer programs. Refer to Nonpharmacologic therapy section.
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Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)
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A. Are naturally occurring chemokines that work primarily by recruiting neutrophils and macrophages to the inflamed synovium
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B. Help trigger degradation of articular cartilage by cleaving peptide bonds in proteoglycans
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C. Are stimulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPS)
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D. Must be activated before they can ease the pain of OA
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The answer is B. MMP’s are an important catalyst to normal cartilage turnover and repair. Refer to Normal Cartilage (Function, Structure and Composition of Cartilage) section.
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Which of the following are required for an accurate and appropriate diagnosis of OA?
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A. Patient history and physical examination
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B. Patient history, physical examination, and radiologic evaluation
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C. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging
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D. Patient history, physical examination, and positive response to pharmacologic treatment
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E. Any of the above is accurate and appropriate
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The answer is B. A patient history to elicit symptoms, a physical exam to examine the ...