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Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis

Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis (PRA) is a condition where there are recurrent attacks of pain and swelling around the joints mainly in fingers and knees or there may be nodules below the skin. The attack can last for hours or even last for few days. It is a chronic disease in which various joints of the body get stiff, swell, inflamed and there can be a loss of function.

 CAUSES OF PRA

The exact cause for this disease is not known. It is caused due to abnormal immune system activity as it is an autoimmune disease. The joint tissues are attacked by the immune system of the person’s own body. An inherited factor can also be the cause for increasing palindromic rheumatoid arthritis.

SYMPTOMS OF PRA

There are various signs and symptoms of this disease and they are:-

• Pain and swelling in the joints mainly in the hands and feet
• Low grade fever
• Loss of motion of the affected joints
• Fatigue which can be severe at any time
• Aching or stiffness of the joints and muscles
• Loss of strength in muscles which are attached to the affected joints
• General sense of not feeling well
• Deformity of the joints

RISK FACTORS OF PRA

• If the person is exposed to an infection like bacteria or virus that can cause this disease
• Smoking cigarettes over a long period of time
• If the person is getting older then there are more chances of PRA as it increases with age.
• If the person is a female

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE

If the person is suffering with discomfort and swelling in the multiple joints then one should contact the doctor immediately. The person is having side effects from arthritis medications so one should seek medical advice. There can be number of side effects and they are changes in bowel habits, constipation, nausea and abdominal discomfort.

DIAGNOSIS OF PRA

First of all the doctor will thoroughly examine the person and conduct a physical examination for diagnosing this disease. Various tests are also performed by the doctor such as:-

• Blood tests – This test is done to measure erythrocyte sedimentation rate or to find for an antibody known as rheumatoid factor.
• Imaging – X-rays are taken for the joints to find out the type of arthritis whether it is osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

TREATMENT OF PRA

Various treatments are available for palindromic rheumatoid arthritis and they are:-

Surgical treatments

• Joint replacement surgery – When joints are severely damaged then medicines and therapies are unable to prevent joint destruction. In that case joint replacement surgery is done which helps in reducing pain or restoring joint function.

• Prosorba column – This treatment removes certain antibodies from the body which leads to pain and inflammation in the joints.

Non surgical treatments

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – These drugs include aspirin, indomethacin, tolmetin etc which helps the person in relieving pain and inflammation.
• Corticosteroids – The medications such as medrol and prednisone are used to get relieve from acute symptoms and slow joint damage.
• TNF blockers
• Antidepressant drugs

The person can also treat this disease by taking self care such as one can do some exercises, eating a balanced diet, controlling weight and many more.