RT Book, Section
A1 Mardis, Caitlin
A2 Sutton, S. Scott
SR Print(0)
ID 1179735549
T1 Rheumatoid Arthritis
T2 McGraw Hill’s NAPLEX® Review Guide, 4e
YR 2020
FD 2020
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264258062
LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1179735549
RD 2024/04/19
AB Rheumatoid  arthritis  (RA)  is  the  presence  of  chronic  inflammation  and  symmetrical  erosive  synovitis  leading  to  joint  deterioration  and  deformity.  RA  occurs  more  frequently  in  women  than  men,  and  while  patients  may  present  at  any  age,  the  disease  process  most  often  begins  between  the  fourth  and  sixth  decades.  Both  genetic  and  environmental  factors  may  contribute  to  the  initiation  of  the  inflammatory  process.  RA  is  an  autoimmune  disease  in  which  the  immune  system  targets  connective  tissues:  T-lymphocytes  produce  pro-inflammatory  cytokines  and  cytotoxic  substances,  activated  B-lymphocytes  differentiate  into  plasma  cells  which  produce  antibodies,  and  macrophages  release  prostaglandins  and  cytotoxins,  all  of  which  ultimately  cause  continued  inflammation,  cellular  damage,  and  erosion  of  bone,  cartilage,  and  joint  tissues.