Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: USMLE Immunology
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation in the joints of hands, feet, knees, etc. In this quick and easy lesson, we explain the standard medical treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the USMLE immunology level, including DMARDS (synthetics and biologics), NSAIDS, and glucocorticoids.
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NSAIDS Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: USMLE
NSAIDS stand for non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. They are medications, such as ibuprofen, that reduce inflammation for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, NSAIDS do not affect the progress of the disease. These only help reduce inflammation.
Glucocorticoids or Corticosteroids Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: USMLE
Glucocorticoids , also known as corticosteroids, are common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as well by reducing both inflammation and pain in patients. Unlike NSAIDS, glucocorticoids reduce both inflammation and pain, but similar to NSAIDS, glucocorticoids do not slow down the progress of rheumatoid arthritis.
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DMARDs Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Rheumatic Arthritis: USMLE
DMARDs also known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs slow down and delay the progress the rheumatic arthritis. DMARDs for rheumatic arthritis consist of 2 main classes including 1) Synthetics and 2) Biologics.
Synthetic DMARDs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synthetic DMARDs include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide, to name a few. Methotrexate is a very important DMARD drug to know for Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment because Methotrexate is the 1st Choice Drug for treatment. Methotrexate suppresses inflammation, pain, and disease progression.
Biologics or biologicals in DMARD treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis include different types that target specific factors of the immune system. In general, there are TNF-alpha inhibitors, B-cell inhibitors, T-cell inhibitors, IL-6 Inhibitor, and IL-1 inhibitors.
Abatacept –| T-cells or specifically inhibits T-cell activation
Rituximab –| B-cells
Adalimumab (Humira), etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, and cortolizumab –| TNF-alpha or Tumor necrosis factor
Anakinra –| IL-1 receptor, and usually co-administered with methotrexate
Tocilizumab –| IL-6
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Categories: anatomy, Biology, cell biology, education, health, immunology, medicine, stem
Excellent essay on arthritis and treatments! Arthritis is becoming more common these days
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Great arthritis. My gran gran had arthritis.
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superbly written
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Excellent medical article!
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Excellent article! It’s so helpful. Now I know whether I need to go to urgent care or the hospital. Thanks!
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