Arthritis
| Arthritis Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | M00-M25 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 710-719 |
| DiseasesDB | 15237 |
| eMedicine | topic list |
| MeSH | D001168 |
Arthritis (plural, "arthritides") is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body, typically involving inflammation and pain.
Arthritis often is defined as inflammation of a joint. (Inflammation usually is indicated by using the English suffix "-itis", and the term arthritis comes from the Greek arthro-, joint + -itis or inflammation.) However, there are many forms of arthritis and in some the suffer may experience little or no inflammation.
Among the more than hundred identified forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (involving the deterioration of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints), rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints), and gout or metabolic arthritis (a disease due to a congenital disorder of uric acid metabolism). There are many causes of arthritis, including injury, infection, abnormal metabolism, and hereditary diseases.
The various forms of arthritis together comprise the most common chronic illness in the United States (Shiel 2007).
Overview
arthritis group differ widely according to causes, clinical course, appearance, etc.
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There are many different forms of arthritis, each of which has a different cause. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint that results in subsequent inflammation. Additionally, there is a less common form of gout that is caused by the formation of rhomboidal shaped crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This form of gout is known as pseudogout. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease and occurs following trauma to the joint, following an infection of the joint or simply as a result of aging. There is emerging evidence that abnormal anatomy may contribute to early development of osteoarthritis.
History and physical examination
All arthritides feature pain. Patterns of pain differ among the arthritides and the location. Osteoarthritis is classically worse at night or following rest. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally worse in the morning; in the early stages, patients often do not have symptoms following their morning shower. In elderly people and children, pain may not be the main feature, and the patient simply moves less (elderly) or refuses to use the affected limb (children).
Elements of the history of the pain (onset, number of joints and which involved, duration, aggravating and relieving factors) all guide diagnosis. Physical examination typically confirms diagnosis. Radiographs are often used to follow progression or assess severity in a more quantitative manner.
Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints often are performed to make the diagnosis.
Screening blood tests may be indicated if certain arthritides are suspected. This may include: rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen and specific antibodies.
Types of arthritis
Primary forms of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Septic arthritis
- Gout and pseudogout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Still's disease
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Secondary to other diseases:
- Lupus erythematosus
- Henoch-Schönlein purpura
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Haemochromatosis
- Hepatitis
- Wegener's granulomatosis (and many other vasculitis syndromes)
- Familial Mediterranean fever
- Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with recurrent fever
- TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Diseases that can mimic arthritis include:
- Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy
- Multiple myeloma
- Osteoporosis
- Fifth disease
Treatment
Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical and occupational therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), and medications (symptomatic or targeted at the disease process causing the arthritis). Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be required in eroding forms of arthritis.
History
While evidence of primary ankle (kaki) osteoarthritis has been discovered in dinosaurs, the first known traces of human arthritis date back as far as 4500 B.C.E. It was noted in skeletal remains of Native Americans found in Tennessee and parts of what is now Olathe, Kansas. Evidence of arthritis has been found throughout history, from Ötzi, a mummy (circa 3000 B.C.E.) found along the border of modern Italy and Austria, to the Egyptian mummies circa 2590 B.C.E.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
WebMD 2007. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-basics Arthritis Basics
Shiel, W. C. 2007.
External links
- Arthritis Care (UK non-profit organisation)
- Arthritis Research Campaign (UK non-profit organisation)
- American College of Rheumatologists (US professional body) - also contains classification criteria of important forms of arthritis
- British Society for Rheumatology (UK professional body)
- Arthritis Foundation (non-profit organisation)
- Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center (non-profit organisation)
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