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Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
About me
Graduated from Anhui Medical University in 2005, working in the Department of General Medicine at the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of common and prevalent internal medicine diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Conventional diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gouty arthritis, as well as regular diagnosis and treatment of prolonged unexplained fever.
Voices
The difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis
The main difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis is that in addition to symptoms of arthritis, rheumatic fever also presents with elevated anti-streptolysin O levels and valvular heart disease, with some patients displaying subcutaneous erythema and chorea-like symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, primarily manifests as joint pain, and rarely involves heart valve issues. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by elevated rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and anti-AkA antibodies as its main clinical features. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis also exhibit increased inflammatory markers. The key differences between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis lie in the different antibodies involved and the general association of rheumatic fever with cardiac involvement.
The Difference Between Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis primarily exhibit symptoms related to the joints. Mainly affected are the symmetrical small joints of both hands, including both wrists, both palmar digital joints, and both proximal interphalangeal joints. In addition, patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have elevated rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and AKA antibodies. During the acute phase of joint disease, there is a marked increase in inflammatory markers, which is a major manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatic fever, aside from joint pain, may also have heart valve disorders, such as mitral stenosis, and some patients may develop skin lesions, commonly erythema nodosum. Most importantly, patients with rheumatic conditions often show a significant increase in anti-streptolysin O.
Can you soak your feet if you have rheumatic fever?
Patients with rheumatic fever can relieve some joint pain by soaking their feet, but this does not fundamentally solve the problem. Rheumatic fever is often caused by streptococcal infection, which leads to diseases such as arthritis. Therefore, antibiotics should be used at the source to eliminate streptococcal infection and hence prevent the recurrence of rheumatism. Additionally, we can use anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to control joint pain. Commonly used anti-inflammatory analgesics include non-steroidal pain relievers, such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets. If there is inflammation in the heart due to rheumatic fever, corticosteroid treatment should be considered. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Difference between Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis
The key difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis primarily lies in the fact that patients with rheumatic fever, besides exhibiting symptoms such as joint pain, also develop cardiac and dermatological manifestations. Patients with rheumatic fever may experience mitral stenosis and symptoms like erythema on the skin. Moreover, the examination of antibodies in rheumatic fever patients mainly shows an elevation in anti-streptolysin O antibody. In contrast, patients with rheumatoid arthritis typically display elevated rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and anti-AKA antibodies, and they seldom have skin or cardiac manifestations. Therefore, to differentiate rheumatic fever from rheumatoid arthritis, one can test for anti-streptolysin O and rheumatoid factor, and further conduct an echocardiogram to determine any cardiac involvement.
Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured?
Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to completely cure without medication, as it is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system that requires lifelong medication. The main treatment plans include the following three categories: The first category is anti-inflammatory and analgesic, which includes non-steroidal analgesics and low-dose corticosteroids. The second category, which is also the most important treatment, involves the use of immunosuppressants. Commonly used immunosuppressants include methotrexate and leflunomide. If the patient does not respond well to anti-inflammatory analgesics and immunosuppressants, treatment with biological agents may also be considered. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)