Rheumatoid arthritis

Background

• Erosive polyarthritis

Clinical Features

• Polyarthritis

Differential Diagnosis

• Septic athritis
• Osteoarthritis
• SLE
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Lyme disease
• Gonococcal arthritis
• Gout
• Pseudogout

Workup

• Xray affected joints
• Rheumatoid factor
• Consider arthrocentesis

Management

• NSAIDs
  • Symptomatic relief without slowing underlying disease
• Glucocorticoids
• Opiods have a limited role
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
  • Can be started by PMD or Rheumatologist after ER visit

Disposition

• Refer to PMD or rheumatologist

See Also

• Arthritis

Sources

Up to Date