RT Book, Section
A1 Reta, Alison M.
A1 O’Callaghan, Rory
A1 Chen, Steven W.
A1 Mardis, Caitlin
A2 Sutton, S. Scott
SR Print(0)
ID 1158315884
T1 Rheumatoid Arthritis
T2 McGraw-Hill's NAPLEX® Review Guide, 3e
YR 2019
FD 2019
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260135923
LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1158315884
RD 2024/04/20
AB Rheumatoid  arthritis  (RA)  is  the  presence  of  chronic  inflammation  and  symmetric  erosive  synovitis  leading  to  joint  deterioration  and  deformity.  The  onset  is  usually  at  a  young  age  (15-45  years)  and  occurs  more  frequently  in  women  than  in  men.  RA  is  an  autoimmune  disease  involving  T-lymphocytes,  B-lymphocytes,  macrophages,  and  cytokines,  but  the  exact  etiology  is  unknown.  T-lymphocytes  produce  proinflammatory  cytokines  and  cytotoxic  substances  that  lead  to  the  erosion  of  bone  and  cartilage.  Activated  B-lymphocytes  produce  plasma  cells  which  form  antibodies  that  attack  joint  tissues.  Macrophages  release  prostaglandins  and  cytotoxins  to  cause  further  injury  and  inflammation.