Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostic Criteria

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis include, first, the presence of swelling and pain in multiple joints, especially characterized and significant in the smaller joints. Second, serological tests show elevated levels of antibodies, commonly rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. If both are elevated, it is most meaningful. Third, the duration of joint swelling and pain should be more than six weeks. Fourth, we must also check some inflammatory markers for joints, such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. If these markers are elevated, and the patient has swelling and pain in multiple joints, then we can consider a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid arthritis hurts more at night or during the day?

The pain of rheumatoid arthritis is irregular. It can hurt at night or during the day, and it varies from person to person. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is somewhat related to streptococcal infection. Clinically, it mainly presents as migratory swelling and pain in the large joints of the limbs, generally without leaving joint deformities. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is related to streptococcal infection, so it requires treatment with penicillin antibiotics. During the acute phase, it is also recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used drugs include sustained-release capsules of diclofenac sodium, meloxicam, or etoricoxib.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid arthritis should be seen in the rheumatology department.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should visit the department of rheumatology and immunology, as it is an immune-related disease. The primary mechanism of the disease involves the production of abnormal antibodies in the body, which attack the joints themselves, leading to symptoms such as joint swelling and pain. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis can also manifest symptoms outside of the joints. The most common of these is interstitial lung disease in some patients, primarily presenting as asthma. Furthermore, some patients may experience kidney involvement, mainly characterized by significant proteinuria.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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The difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Rheumatic arthritis is an inflammatory connective tissue disease caused by infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. It is primarily characterized by migratory pain in the major joints of the limbs and may also present with fever, rash, erythema annulare, subcutaneous nodules, chorea, and carditis. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the major joints such as the hands, knees, shoulders, and lumbar spine, often without migratory symptoms. This condition is a degenerative change, primarily seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The treatment of this disease mainly includes calcium supplementation, keeping the joints warm, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications that improve the condition, mainly glucosamine sulfate and diacerein.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with rheumatoid arthritis donate blood?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis. It belongs to auto-immune diseases and is not an infectious disease; the cause of which is currently unclear. There is also considerable individual variation in its clinical manifestations. Because it is an autoimmune disease, it cannot be cured. This relates to whether or not one can donate blood: firstly, blood donors must not have any infectious diseases. Secondly, since this disease cannot be cured and patients often need to take regular doses of medications such as methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine, there will be a certain concentration of these drugs in the body. If the condition allows and there are no infectious diseases, blood donation may be appropriately considered.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Foods to Avoid with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should adhere to a light diet and avoid spicy foods, overly nourishing and greasy foods. Specifically, the following foods should be avoided: vegetables such as celery, coriander, shiitake mushrooms, leeks, and seaweed. In terms of meat, one should reduce consumption of warming foods like lamb, beef, and dog meat. Also, it is advisable to limit intake of high-protein seafood such as shrimp, crab, and sea cucumber. Regarding fish, preference should be given to freshwater fish, while the consumption of sea fish should be minimized. These are the foods that should be avoided by those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.