Question

Morning stiffness >60 minutes improves later in the day, small joints affected wrist, MCP, PIP, MTP, ankle. Symmetric warm, erythematous, soft boggy, ulnar deviation of the hand.

A) Osteoarthritis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Gout
D) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 1

The symptoms described are characteristic of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain and joint deformity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition described with morning stiffness lasting greater than 60 minutes, symmetric joint involvement including the wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP), proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP), metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP), and ankles; as well as the presence of warm, erythematous, and soft boggy joints with ulnar deviation of the hand is indicative of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints. The immune system's attacks lead to signs that include swelling and pain in the affected joints. The condition often leads to cartilage degradation, causing the bones to rub against one another, leading to further pain and deformity. RA is typically seen in women, particularly post-menopausal, and begins around the ages of 40 to 50. Diagnosis of RA can include clinical evaluation of symptoms, imaging such as X-rays or MRI, and blood tests for biomarkers like rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.