RT Book, Section
A1 Jameson, J. Larry
A1 Fauci, Anthony S.
A1 Kasper, Dennis L.
A1 Hauser, Stephen L.
A1 Longo, Dan L.
A1 Loscalzo, Joseph
SR Print(0)
ID 1167068200
T1 Rheumatoid Arthritis
T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 20e
YR 2020
FD 2020
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260455342
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1167068200
RD 2024/04/19
AB A  chronic  multisystem  disease  of  unknown  etiology  characterized  by  persistent  inflammatory  synovitis,  usually  involving  peripheral  joints  symmetrically.  Although  cartilaginous  destruction,  bony  erosions,  and  joint  deformity  are  hallmarks,  the  course  of  RA  can  be  quite  variable.  An  association  with  HLA-DR4  has  been  noted;  both  genetic  and  environmental  factors  may  play  a  role  in  initiating  disease.  The  propagation  of  RA  is  an  immunologically  mediated  event  in  which  joint  injury  occurs  from  synovial  hyperplasia;  lymphocytic  infiltration  of  synovium;  and  local  production  of  cytokines  and  chemokines  by  activated  lymphocytes,  macrophages,  and  fibroblasts.