Inflammatory Joint Rheumatism

What are Inflammatory Joint Rheumatisms?

Inflammatory joint rheumatism is a general term and is not a single disease; there are nearly 200 rheumatic diseases. The most common inflammatory rheumatisms are;

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 

• Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) (Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) , Psoriasis Rheumatism (PsA), Reactive Arthritis and Arthritis due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease), 

• Connective Tissue Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjögren's Syndrome etc.).

• In addition, diseases such as Behçet's Disease, Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and Gout are also defined as "inflammatory" rheumatic diseases.

 

What Causes Inflamed Joint Rheumatism?

 

Most of these types of diseases are autoimmune and immune system-related diseases. Most of the inflammatory ones are known, in the most basic terms, for the improper functioning of the immune system and/or inflammatory mechanisms, causing the body to cause disease against itself. Most diseases resulting from a genetic predisposition are triggered by an external factor. Joint pain and symptoms that may later cause permanent damage to our body may develop.

 

What may be the general symptoms of Inflammatory Rheumatism?

 

• Swelling in Joints

• Joint Pain

• Restriction of movement in joints

• Morning stiffness

• Waist/Hip or Back pain (if there is Spinal inflammation such as Spondyloarthropathy)

• Loss of function in the joints

• Skin Rashes or Dry Eyes (In Connective Tissue Diseases)

• Recurrent sores/canker sores in the mouth (Behçet's Disease)

• Recurrent Abdominal Pain and Fever (FMF/Familial Mediterranean Fever)

• Inflammatory rheumatism in the big toe (Gout)

 

Which Department Treats Inflamed Joint Rheumatic Diseases?

 

A Rheumatologist (Rheumatology specialist) provides services for Rheumatic Diseases. It offers meaning). A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and medical treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. In a more limited sense, it is a doctor who has received rheumatology training (3 years) after internal medicine specialization (5 years); A rheumatologist focuses on the diagnosis of rheumatism before treating it. “Inflamed Joint Rheumatism” is a general phrase and refers to all types of arthritis and rheumatism. In addition to inflammatory systemic (which concerns the whole body) and joint-specific rheumatic diseases, degenerative, metabolic and mechanical musculoskeletal problems are also within the Rheumatologist's area of ​​expertise. Since a rheumatologist is an internal medicine specialist, he has the infrastructure to solve most of the internal organ (heart, kidney, lung, liver, gastrointestinal, etc.) problems that can frequently be seen in rheumatism patients due to the disease itself or the treatments.

 

How is Inflamed Joint Rheumatism Diagnosed?

 

First of all, the Rheumatologist will examine the medical history and history of the complaints. questions and takes anamnesis. He then focuses on the Physical Examination, not only physically examining the joints but also paying attention to systemic findings that may affect the entire body. Often, a single test is not enough to make a definitive diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatism. To confirm clinical findings and confirm the diagnosis, the Rheumatologist may order several blood tests or imaging tests (X-ray, Ultrasound or MRI).

 

What are the Inflammatory Rheumatism Tests?

 

• Rheumatoid Factor (RF):  High levels (positive) of rheumatoid factor are associated with autoimmune diseases, especially inflammatory rheumatism. It is associated with.

• Anti-Citrullinated Cyclic Peptide (Anti-CCP) Antibody test: Positive anti-CCP antibody along with RF confirms rheumatoid arthritis disease. and provides prognostic information. Individuals carrying this antibody are generally considered to have rheumatism.

• Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) test: This test is done to see if the body produces autoantibodies, the presence of which indicates the presence of a possible autoimmune disease and the Connective Tissue of your illness It emphasizes thinking ahead.

• Anti-ds DNA Antibody: It is an autoantibody specific to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

• Anti-SSA/SSB Antibodies: It is an autoantibody test seen in Connective Tissue Disease known as Sjögren's Syndrome.

• HLA-B27 Genetic Test:

• Erythocyte Sedimentation Rate (also known as Sedim or ESR): Helps determine the level of inflammation in the body. It is usually high in inflammatory joint rheumatic diseases, but it may not always be high.

• C-Reactive Protein test (CRP): Just like ESR, it is measured in a part of the body. It determines the presence of a serious infection or inflammatory rheumatism. High CRP level in the blood is generally high in patients with inflammatory joint rheumatism, but like ESR, the level may not always be high even though there is rheumatism.

 

Inflammatory Is There a Rheumatism Treatment?

 

Generally, there is no treatment that completely cures inflammatory rheumatism, but there are many treatments that put the disease into sleep mode (remission), reduce joint pain and improve the quality of life. . The priority of the rheumatologist is always to reduce and prevent inflammation in the body. Reducing inflammation helps prevent permanent damage to both joints and internal organs. Different drugs and various methods are used in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatism. Some of these are;

 

• Cortisone and non-cortisone anti-inflammatory drugs,

• Classical Inflammatory rheumatism drugs (DMARDs) that change the course of the disease: especially drugs containing Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine and Methotrexate,

• Biological Agents (bDMARDs): These new generation rheumatism drugs are generally It is used in people who do not respond to classical rheumatism medications and is very effective in reducing inflammation,

• Complementary Medicine Methods (e.g. Ozone Therapy, Laser Treatments)

• Pilates, Hydrotherapy, Aqua/Pool Treatments and Exercise types performed under the supervision of a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and FTR specialist,

• Special Nutrition

 

What is Required for Inflammatory Rheumatism Treatment to be Successful?

 

Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment of rheumatism to be successful. For early diagnosis, a long examination process and patient follow-up is required. Because the symptoms change when the complaints decrease or increase. The type of treatment varies from person to person and each patient should be treated differently. Long-term treatment may be required as a result of chronic diseases. As a result of medication and physical therapy under the supervision of a doctor, the disease cannot be completely eliminated, but its progression is stopped and the patient's life is made easier by relieving the pain.
In drug treatment, drugs are used to relieve the patient's pain, stop the disease, or reduce swelling and pain. These drugs affect the inflammation caused by rheumatism. In addition, muscle relaxants, vitamin supplements and blood pressure lowering drugs are used to eliminate other symptoms seen in the patient. These medications should be taken with plenty of water. Also, attention should be paid to whether it has side effects (some medications can prevent pregnancy). Rheumatism treatment methods include medication, intra-articular injections, physical therapy and surgery. The most important aspect of the rheumatologist's duty and service is to manage which treatment method, when, in what way and for how long. Therefore, it is beneficial to have treatment options in the direction of a Rheumatologist.

 

What are the Types of Inflammatory Rheumatism?

 

The most common inflammatory rheumatisms are;

 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 

• Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) (such as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Rheumatism of Psoriasis (PsA), Reactive Arthritis and Arthritis due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease), 

• Connective Tissue Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and Sjögren's Syndrome etc.).

• In addition, diseases such as Behçet's Disease, Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and Gout are also defined as "inflammatory" rheumatic diseases.

 

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) disease?

Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis: The most common type of inflammatory rheumatism. It may have more severe and serious symptoms than other types of rheumatism. In its general symptoms; Swelling and pain in the small joints (fingers or wrists), stiffness in the joints in the morning for more than 30 minutes and a feeling of stiffness that decreases later in movement, general weakness and fatigue. In patients who are not under control, swelling, redness and feelings of warmth may also occur in the hand and/or wrist joints.

 

What are the spondyloarthropathy (SpA) group diseases?

 

Spondyloarthritis or Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) is the name given to a group of rheumatic diseases. This group of diseases is seen in approximately one in a hundred patients in society. The symptoms of SpA group diseases are diverse, but they generally begin in the joints we call sacroiliac (the joint between the coccyx and the pelvis). In addition to the sacroiliac joints, the spinal joints, peripheral joints (such as knee, hip, shoulder and ankle) are affected by the points where tendons and ligaments connect to the bones (especially foot heel and sole pain). In patients with this SpA group, psoriasis on the skin, eye inflammation known as uveitis, and inflammatory bowel disease are observed in the eyes. The main diseases in the SpA group are known as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Rheumatism of Psoriasis / Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Reactive Arthritis and Arthritis due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease / Enteropathic Arthritis.

 

What are Connective Tissue Diseases, especially Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's Syndrome?

 

What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

 

Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called SLE or just lupus) is a disease that causes different health problems. . It can cause skin rashes, arthritis, anemia, epileptic seizures or psychiatric illnesses, and often affects internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and heart. While it was once a disease with a high mortality rate, it has now become a chronic (long-lasting) disease. While the survival rate after 4 years of disease was 50% in 1954, today this rate has increased to over 97%.

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