Inflammatory Arthritis – Part 1

Arthritis is a generic medical term that describes well over 100 different conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, and in some cases other tissues and organs. The term inflammatory arthritis refers to any of these arthritic conditions where there is localized joint inflammation with any other type of inflammation in the tissues or organ systems.

There are several different type of inflammatory arthritis that are more commonly diagnosed than others. These include psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis arthritis. All of these conditions result in painful swelling, inflammation and redness in the joint area that results in disability, poor functional use of the joint and reduced range of motion.

Researchers from the Arthritis Research Campaign at the University of Manchester are interested in identifying why the quality of life of a significant number of patients who suffer from arthritis is rated so poorly. In a health related questionnaire patients who suffer from inflammatory arthritis reported levels of pain that was rated “worse than death” by members of the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common form of the condition which affect the questionnaire participants. (1)

According to research results from the UK within 10 years after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, at least 50% of the sufferers were unable to hold down a full-time job. The researchers believed that the quality of life evaluations may not reflect the current treatments available to relieve pain and that more research is required.

Those who suffer from psoriatic arthritis have joint inflammation concurrent with another skin disease, psoriasis. Interestingly, not all who have psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis but all who have psoriatic arthritis will eventually suffer from psoriasis. The joints that are more commonly involved include the hips, knees, and those close to the tips of the fingers and toes. The doctor will make a diagnosis based on symptoms, using x-ray, blood tests, and other diagnostic imaging studies to rule out other reasons for the inflammatory response in the body. Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and the use of some of the new disease modifying medications now available on the market. (2)

References:

(1) Royal College of Physicians: Osteoarthritis

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG059FullGuideline.pdf

(3) University of Maryland Medical Center: Reiter Syndrom

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/reiter-syndrome-000141.htm

(3) MayoClinic.com: Ankylosing Spondylitis

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/DS00483

Resources:

Spondylitis Association of America

http://www.spondylitis.org/