Rheumatoid arthritis should be seen in the rheumatology department.

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should visit the department of rheumatology and immunology, as it is an immune-related disease. The primary mechanism of the disease involves the production of abnormal antibodies in the body, which attack the joints themselves, leading to symptoms such as joint swelling and pain. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis can also manifest symptoms outside of the joints. The most common of these is interstitial lung disease in some patients, primarily presenting as asthma. Furthermore, some patients may experience kidney involvement, mainly characterized by significant proteinuria.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What medicine should be taken for rheumatoid arthritis?

Medications for rheumatoid arthritis firstly include some anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, commonly used are non-steroidal pain relievers such as Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets and the like. The second, and most important, are what we call slow-acting drugs, which are often immunosuppressants, commonly used ones include Methotrexate, Leflunomide Tablets and the like. If the patient does not respond well to conventional oral medications, we can also use biologic treatments. Before using biologics, we need to strictly rule out hepatitis, tuberculosis, tumors, and some common infections. Commonly used biologics include tumor necrosis factor antagonists and similar drugs. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Foods to Avoid with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should adhere to a light diet and avoid spicy foods, overly nourishing and greasy foods. Specifically, the following foods should be avoided: vegetables such as celery, coriander, shiitake mushrooms, leeks, and seaweed. In terms of meat, one should reduce consumption of warming foods like lamb, beef, and dog meat. Also, it is advisable to limit intake of high-protein seafood such as shrimp, crab, and sea cucumber. Regarding fish, preference should be given to freshwater fish, while the consumption of sea fish should be minimized. These are the foods that should be avoided by those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic tests

The diagnostic tests for rheumatoid arthritis include blood tests and X-ray examinations. Blood tests include a complete blood count, inflammatory markers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and screening for various antibodies such as rheumatoid factor, anti-O, anti-CCP antibodies, and anti-AKA antibodies. Additionally, if there is significant pain in the hand joints, an X-ray of the hand joints can be taken. The X-ray can show whether there is any destruction of bone, osteoporosis, or other manifestations of rheumatoid disease. Based on these tests, it is generally possible to diagnose the specific type of rheumatoid disease.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis include, first, the presence of swelling and pain in multiple joints, especially characterized and significant in the smaller joints. Second, serological tests show elevated levels of antibodies, commonly rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. If both are elevated, it is most meaningful. Third, the duration of joint swelling and pain should be more than six weeks. Fourth, we must also check some inflammatory markers for joints, such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. If these markers are elevated, and the patient has swelling and pain in multiple joints, then we can consider a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Do you need to take X-rays for rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis requires imaging, especially of the affected joints. It is typically necessary to do this routinely. The main purpose is to check for any bone damage, primarily to differentiate it from rheumatoid arthritis. Because rheumatoid arthritis generally does not leave joint deformities, while rheumatoid arthritis, if not treated properly, can lead to bone destruction and in severe cases, joint fusion. In addition to imaging, rheumatoid arthritis also requires complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, anti-streptolysin O, and echocardiography among other tests to comprehensively assess the condition and determine the treatment plan.