Final answer:
Chronic synovitis with pannus formation is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), not gout. Gout is characterized by episodes of acute joint inflammation due to uric acid crystals, while RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder leading to progressive joint damage from ongoing inflammation and pannus formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) would recognize that chronic synovitis with pannus formation is a characteristic pathophysiologic finding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), not gout. Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in a joint and is usually characterized by acute attacks of inflammation, potentially leading to chronic arthritic changes if not managed properly. In contrast, RA is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane, leading to chronic inflammation, pannus formation, and progressive joint damage. Pannus refers to the abnormal layer of fibrovascular or granulation tissue that damages the cartilage and bone within the joint.
While gout and RA can both affect joints and cause pain and inflammation, their underlying mechanisms are distinct. RA's ongoing inflammation leads to the formation of pannus, which aggressively erodes joint structures and can cause severe disability and deformity over time. Therefore, the presence of chronic synovitis and pannus in joints is indicative of RA rather than gout.