All of the following are true about
Rheumatoid arthritis, except
a) PIP and DIP joints involved equally
b) Pathology limited to articular cartilage
c) Women are affected 3 times more commonly than men
d) 20% of patients have extra articular manifestations
Correct Answer - D
Ans. is ‘d’ i.e., 20% of patients have extra articular manifestations
Association of Rheumatoid Arthritis with HLA DR-4
The class II major histocompatibility complex allele HLA-DR4 and
related alleles are known to be a major genetic risk factor for
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is strongly associated with HLA DR4
The genetic risk for Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with allelic
variation in the HLA-DRBI “gene i.e. DRB1 0401, 04, 05”.
Some of the HLA DRB1 alleles bestow a high risk of disease
Clinical features:
It occurs between the age of 20 to 50 years.
Women are affected about 3 times more commonly than men.
Following presentations are common:
a) An acute, symmetrical polyarthritis:
Pain and stiffness in multiple joints (at least four)
Symptoms of articular inflammation.
Common in-
MP joints of hand
PIP joints of fingers
Wrists, knees, elbows, ankles