ARTHRITISAn umbrella term describing painful conditions in which there is damage to the joints. Most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA); others are psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis, gouty arthritis (also known as crystal-induced arthritis or more commonly, gout) and ankylosing spondylitis (affecting the spine). Around 10 million people in the UK have arthritis. NHS. Arthritis https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
OsteoarthritisImportant cause of impaired mobility in older people (uncommon before age 45). A non-inflammatory condition in which components of affected joints (not only cartilage, also bone, muscle, synovium, capsule) gradually degenerate, often resulting in severe pain, joint swelling and misalignment. Joints commonly affected are hands, spine, knees and hips. Exacerbations last weeks to months. NICE CG177 Osteoarthritis: care and management of OA in adults, 2014 (updated 2020). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg177
Practice Nurse featured article The challenge of managing osteoarthritis in primary care Sarah Ryan Practice Nurse Curriculum Module Rheumatoid arthritisAn inflammatory arthritis; damage to (predominantly) peripheral joints progresses to destruction and deformity. Usually starts symmetrically in small joints, especially of hands, and most common in middle age. Possible acute inflammatory arthritis needs urgent recognition and immediate specialist referral because early treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) can improve outcome. Signs and symptoms of acute inflammatory arthritis are:
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