Epidemiology
•RA is one of the most common autoimmune
diseases, with a prevalence of approx 1%.
•It is more common in femalesthan in males (3:1)
•The onset is most common in the age group between
30and 50years.---Slightly older in men
•5% Women & 3% men over the
age of 65 yrs affected by RA.
•RA affects young children and its
classification and treatment differs
slightly from adults.
•In India, the prevalence of RA is
estimated to be 0.7% which is higher
than the global prevalence of 0.46%
Pathogenesis
•RA is an autoimmune disease triggered
by exposure of a genetically susceptible
host to an unknown antigen.
•Activation of CD4+ helper T cells &
other lymphocytes, & the local release
of inflammatory mediators & cytokines
that ultimately destroys the joint.
•ThecauseofRAremainsunclear
with hormonal, genetic and
environmentalfactorsplayingakey
role.
•Geneticfactorscontribute53-65%of
theriskofdevelopmentofdisease
Key consideration
1)The nature of the autoimmune
reaction,
2)The mediators of the tissue injury,
3)Genetic susceptibility, and
4)The arthritogenic antigen(s).
1 RA CD4+ T cells
& B lymphocytes.
+
cytokines (central mediators
of the synovial reaction)
&
B cells activation
joint destruction
2 Joint injury is very important.
•Cytokines plays a major role.
•i.e. TNF & IL-1 produced by
macrophages & synovial lining cells
different inflammatory mediators
(i.e. PG) ,matrix metalloproteinases
cartilage destruction
•Activated T cells & synovial fibroblast
Receptor Activator for Nuclarfactor fB
Ligand( RANKL)
Osteoclasts(a large multinucleate
bone cell which absorbs bone during growth & healing)
Joint destruction
These series of event is leads to progressive joint
destruction
•Hyperplastic synovium adherent to
& articular surface
PANNUS
( Irreversible cartilage destruction & erosion
of subchondral bone )
3Genetically susceptibility is a significant
component of the development of RA.
•RA is highly present in monozygotic twins
and well-defined familial predisposition.
•Multiple gene loci are believed to be
responsible for susceptibility to the
disease, but most of these have not been
identified yet.
•1 susceptibility that is in the class ІІ HLA
locus, & specifically region of 4 amino
acids located in the antigen binding cleft
that is shared in the HLA DRBI*0401 &
0404 alleles.
•Thus formed HLA-DR allele may bind and
display the arthritogenic antigen to T
cells, however there is no evidence for
support this idea.
4 trigger
•Antigens autoimmunity &
increase reaction are not known.
•There has been great interest in
exploring microbial antigens as the
initiating triggers.
•But no firm evidence has definitively
identified a microbial organism as an
etiologic agent in RA.
Diagnosis
The American Rheumatism Association
(ARA) criteria for classification of
Rheumatoid Arthritis include
•The 1987 revised ARA/ACRcriteria for
the classification of rheumatoid
arthritis.
1.Morning stiffness
2.Arthritis of 3 or more joint areas
The goals of management of RA are
to
•relieve pain and inflammation
•relieve joint destruction
•preserve or improve a patient’s
functional ability,
•maintain a patient’s normal life style.
Management
1. Non-pharmacological therapy
•Physiotherapy plays a very important
role
•Heat, cold & electrotherapy help to
reduce pain and swelling.
•Patient education about the disease
2. Pharmacotherapy
•A DMARD should be started with in the
first 3 months of onset of symptoms of
RA.
•Early introduction of DMARD results in a
more favorable outcome & can reduce
mortality compared to people with out
the disease.
•The order of agent selection is not
clearly defined.
•Hydroxychloroquine / sulfasalazine may
be used initially in mild disease.
•Methotrexate is often chosen initially in
more severe cases. It is economically
cheaper than biologic agent.
•Leflunomide appears to have long-term
efficacy similar to methotrexate.
•Biologic agents have proven for patients
who fail treatment with other DMARDs.
•Infliximab should be given in
combination with methotrexate.
•When single DMARD fails to achieve
goal that time combination therapy may
be beneficial.
•The combinations of
(1) cyclosporine + methotrexate.
(2) methotrexate + sulfasalazine &
hydroxychloroquine have been shown to
be particularly effective.
•DMARDs that are less frequently used
include Azathiprine, Penicillamine, gold
salts (including auranofin), minocycline,
cyclosporine & cyclophasphamide.
•These agents have either fewer
efficacies or high toxicity, or both.
Simple analgesics:
•Paracetamol,itscombinationswith&
Dihydrocodeineareallusefulfor
simplepainrelief.
•Thesearenotaltersthedisease,but
canbeusedinthemanagement of
bothacuteandlatestagesofthe
disease.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)
•NSAIDs act primarily by inhibiting
prostaglandin synthesis, & produces
anti-inflammatory effect.
•These agents possess both analgesics
and anti-inflammatory
•These agents replace the use of high
dose aspirin, as they are less toxic,
longer acting & have better adherence.
MOA of NSAIDs
Cyclooxygenase
(COX) Prostaglandins
ADR:
GIT. Minor nausea, dyspepsia, anorexia, &
abdominal pain, are common up to 60% of
patients.
GI bleeding, occur in 1.5% to 4% of
patients per year.
N
S
A
I
D
Drug Dosage & Frequency Maximum dose
(Mg/d)
Carboxylic acids
Aspirin
325-650 mg for pain,
3600mg/d in divided dose
for antiinflammatory
3600
Acetic acids
Etodolac
Diclofenac
800-1200mg/day
100-150mg/day
25mg tidor bid
1200
200
Propionicacids
Ibuprofen
1200-3200mg/day 3200
Fenamates
Mefenamicacid
Meclofenamate
250mg qid
200-400mg/day
1000
200
Oxicams
Piroxicam
10-20mg/day 20
Coxibs
Celecoxib
Valdecoxib
100mg bd or 200 mg od
10mg od
100
10
Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs
(DMARDs)
•Early newly diagnosed RA patient is a
candidate for DMARD therapy, which
should be started with in 3 months of
diagnosis.
•All the DMARDs possess a slow onset
of action, with response to treatment
usually expected with in 4-6 months.
Mechanism of action of DMARDs
•DMARDs reduce the activity of
inflammatory cytokines
Ex: Methotrexate
Leflunomide
Hydroxychloroquine
Sulfasalazine
Penicillamine
Gold
Corticosteroids
Biological agents
Methotrexate
It is the 1stdrug of choice used by
many rheumatologists.
It is probably the most effective DMARD.
It has a relatively rapid onset of action of 4-6
weekly doses.
It is commonly used in patients with
moderate to severe disease,especially in those
with poor prognosis.
It has a relatively high response rate of 40-
50% & has been shown to improve quality of
life & reduce joint destruction.
Leflunomide
•It is a new, oral DMARD for
the treatment of RA.
•It inhibits pyrimidinesynthesis, leading to a
decrease in lymphocytes proliferation &
modulation of anti-inflammation.
•It is used when the current available drugs fails
to relieve the signs & symptoms because of its
serious adverse effects.
•Post marketing surveillance has resulted in the
reporting of more than 130 severe liver-related
adverse events,including 12 liver related deaths
like due to this drug.
Hydroxychloroquine:
•HCQ & other antimalarials are the
less toxic of all DMARDs.
•These are used in less severe forms
of the disease.
•This can be used withother DMARDs.
Sulfasalazine:
•It is a prodrug, which is cleaved by
bacteria in the colon into sulfa pyridine &
5-amino salicylic acid.
•It is believed that the sulfa pyridine moiety
is responsible for anti-rheumatic
properties.
•However the exact mechanism is not
clearly known.
•It can be used in long-term therapy.
Because of its low serious adverse effects.
Penicillamine:
•There is not evidence that
Penicillamine reduces joint erosions.
•Penicillamine is not often used for
the treatment of progressive RA
because of a lengthy dose titration.
•For dosing, “go low, go slow” is
recommended for dosing
Penicillamine.
Gold:
•Gold:
•2parenteralgold preparations are
available. Gold sodium thiomalate, an
aqueous solution and Aurothioglucose
or an oil suspension.
•Orally available as Auronofin.
•Gold sodium thiomalate is easier to
administer, but it is associated with
more frequent side effects compared
with aurothioglucose(less risk of
nephrotoxicity).
DMARDs dose
& regimens,
performance &
their action
DRUG DOSE &
REGIMENS
PERFORMANCE ACTION
1.Methotrexate 7.5 mg /Wk PO Rapid response
in 1-2 months
Antimetobolite
2.Sulfasalazine 1g tid/bid ,Po Rapid response
in 1-2 months
Anti-
inflammatory
3.Hydroxychloroq
uine
200mg orally, i.e.
<6mg/kg/day
Response in 2-4
months
Inhibit the
locomotion of
neutrophils, &
chemotaxis of
eosinophils.impai
rs complement
dependent
Ag-Abreaction
4.Leflunomide 10-2-mg orally,
once daily
Efficacy
comparable with
methotrexate
Anti-
inflammatory &
autoimmune
modulatory
properties
5.Azathiprine Orally 1.5-
2.5mg.kg/day
May have steroid
sparing effect
Immunosuppress
ant agent
DRUG DOSE&
REGIMENS
PERFORMANCE ACTION
6.Gold
Auranofin
Gold thiomalate
PO: 3mg od/ bd
IM: 10mg test
dose, then wkly
dosing 25-50mg,
after response may
increase dosing
interval
Excellent response
over 3-12 months
in 20-30% only.
Half sustain this
improvement after
1 yr.
Unknown may
decrease PG
synthesis or may
alter cellular
mechanism by
inhibiting
sulfhydryssystem
7. Penicillamine 250-750mg orally
in divided doses
Similar pattern of
response to gold,
( i.e.,3-6 months)
It depresses
circulating IgM
rheumatoid factor,
depresses T-cell
but B-cell activity
8.Prednisolone
/prednisone
5-7.5mg orally in
the morning
Rapid reduction
(days)in synovitis
pain & stiffness;
Anti-inflammatory
effect
9. Cyclosporin 2.5-3mg/kg/day
orally
Response in 3-6
months
Immunosuppressa
nt agent
10.Cyclophosphami
de
1-2mg/kg/day
orally
It is used in the
management of
rheumatoid
vacuities
Cytotoxic agent
DMARDs adverse effect
and
their monitoring
Drugs (pregnancy category)Common adverse effect Monitoring
1.Methotrexate (X) GI symptoms, rash,mouth
ulcers, alopecia,
Myelosuppression;hepatic
fibrosis or cirrhosis; pulmonary
infiltrates or fibrosis
FBC fortnightly for 12 wks
then monthly.
LFTsmonthly
2.Sulfasalazine (B) Rashes; GI upset; liver function
abnormalities;
Myelosuppression and
hemolytic anemia (rare)
3.Hydroxychloroquine(C)Drug deposition in cornea;
macular damage (rare)
Fundal examination & fields by
ophthalmologist at baseline
then every 6 months
4.Leflunomide (X) Diarrhoea; alopecia;
contraindicated in women of
child-bearing potential
FBC, PLT& LFTsat baseline
then every 4 to 8 weeks
5.Gold
Auranofin (C)
Gold thiomalate
Pruritis&mouth ulcers
commonest; proteinuria &
rarely nephroticsyndrome;
Myelosuppression; neutropenia
and thrombocytopenia
(commonest) aplasia (rare)
FBC, PLT & U/Aat baseline
then every 1 to 2 wks for 20
wks then with each
administration
7.Prednisolone/prednisone
(D)
Weight gain; fat redistribution;
unmasking diabetes; muscle
wasting and weakness
hypertension; cataracts;
osteoporosis;
Clinical monitoring for wt
gain, HTN glycosuria; monitor
& prophylaxis against
osteoporosis beware too rapid
cessation after rapid cessation
after therapy because of
adrenal cortex suppression
7. Penicillamine (D) Rashes; mouth ulcers; metallic
taste Myelosuppression;
proteinuria
FBC, PLT & U/A at baseline
then every 2wk until dose is
stable then every 1-3 month.
8.Azathiprine (D) Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice,
myelosupression
FBC,U&E & LFTs fortnightly
for 2-3 mths, then 1-2 mthly
9.cyclosporin (C) Hypertension; impaired renal
function; paresthesia; hirsutism
FBC< PLT & U&Eat baseline
then mthly
10.Cyclophosphamide (D)Alopecia; nausea and vomiting;
headache skin rash
FBC with PLT, BUN, UA&SE
&creatinine
Infliximab
It is a chimeric antibody containing portions of
mouse & human IgG1.
An anti-TNF Ab was created by exposing mice to
human TNF.
The binding portion of that antibody was fused to
a human constant region IgG1 to reduce the
antigenecity of the foreign protein.
Infliximab
•This Ab, when injected in humans, binds to TNF
& prevents its interaction with TNF ® on
inflammatory cells.
•DOSE: by IV infusion at dose of 3 mg/d @ 0, 2, &
6 wks, & then every 8 wks. It can be used along
with MTX to prevent the development of murine
Ab.
•Infliximab neutralizes the biological activity of
TNF.
Infliximab
•Serious infections & sepsis has been reported in
some patients treated with bothEtanercept &
Infliximab.
•So these agents must not be used in patients
with active infection.
•The efficacy of both Etanercept &Infliximab is
similar with response rates
Adlimunab
•According to randomized control trial
40mg weekly is beneficial.
•It slows the progression of joint damage.
•The common ADRincludes URTI, nausea,
flu like symptoms, & rash
Anakinara
•It is currently the only available IL-1 ®
antagonist (IL-1RA), which is a naturally
occurring antiinflammatory.
•By binding to IL-1RA on target cells, it
prevents the interaction b/w IL-1 & the
cell.
•IL-1 is playing a key role in the
pathogenesis of RA
Anakinara
•The recommended dose is 100mg daily
by self-administered SC.
•Clinical trials evaluating anakinara have
demonstrated significant but modest
improvement in RA signs & symptoms, &
radiology evidence of joint erosion.
Surgery
•It plays a role in the management of
patients with severely damaged joints.
•Although arhroplasties & total joint
replacements can be done on a number
of joints.
•The most successful procedures are
carried out on hip, knees, & shoulders.