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RHEUMATOLOGY PROFILE 2
Rheumatology is the branch of medicine concerned with the cause, development, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the joints, muscles and connective tissue. Connective tissue diseases are types of auto-immune disorders - in which a persons immune system reacts against it's own tissues. (See Auto-immune Profiles). Auto-immune disorders can affect blood vessels and thereby cause damage to connective tissues.
This profile is for general screening for rheumatoid disorders and connective tissue disorders
Diseases of this type include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Lupus erythematosus
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- Dermatomyositis
Rheumatoid Arthritis - is an auto-immune disorder and is medically different to osteoarthritis which is largely due to joint `wear and tear`. Joints of the fingers, wrists, toes, knees, neck, shoulders and other joints become swollen and stiff and in severe cases, deformed. Women are affected 2-3 times more than men. Inflammation of surrounding tissue often occurs. Sufferers feel fatigued which is partly due to the anaemia that often accompanies it.
Modern treatments reduce the incidence of severe disability. They can include drug therapy, physiotherapy and surgery.
Scleroderma - This is a rare auto-immune disorder that affects particularly the skin but also the joints and major body organs. It is twice as common in women and most commonly appears between 40 - 60 years.
Lupus Erythematosus - LE is a chronic connective tissue disorder. The commonest type (Discoid LE) affects exposed areas of skin. The more serious Systemic LE can affect other body systems including the kidneys and joints.
Polyarteritis nodosa - An uncommon disease of medium sized arteries whereby the artery wall becomes inflamed, weakened and is liable to form aneurysms. It is thought to be an auto-immune disease which is sometimes triggered by the Hepatitis B virus. More women than men are affected.
Dermatomyositis - This is a rare condition in which the skin and muscles become inflamed causing weakness. 2/3rd of those affected are middle aged women. 50% make a full recovery over 2 years whilst in 30% the disease is persistent. In the remaining 20% it affects lungs and other organs and can be fatal.
Phlebotomy
Red Cell Count
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
Platelet Count
White Cell Count
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
ESR
Uric Acid
R.F. Latex
Rose Waaler
C. Reactive Protein
Antinucler Autoantibodies
Antibodies to Nucleic Acid Antigens
Anti-ds DNA (crithidia)
Antibodies to Nonhistone soluble Antigens (ENA)
Anti nRNP
Anti Sm
Anti Ro (SS-A)
Anti La (SS-B)
Anti Jo-1
Anti Scl 70
HLA B27
Anti CCP