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FINAL EXAM LONG CASE
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A 50 year old female patient a resident of Nalgonda, home maker came to the OPD with chief complaints of pain and stiffness in several joints since 1 year.
History of present illness:
She was apparently asymptomatic 10 years ago, then she developed a dull aching type of pain and stiffness in her finger joints(MCP joints) of right hand with limitations of movements at the joints. 
Then within 6 months of onset the disease progressed to involve other joints of the right hand and left hand as well(wrist joint and elbow joint) 
Within 4 years of onset she started feeling pain in the joints of the feet and ankle joint. 
Since 3 months the pain became unbearable limiting  her activities
The pain was insidious in onset, slowly progressive dull aching type of pain, non radiating, associated with swelling, stiffness and limitations of movements in the involved joints.
Stiffness and pain was more in the first 1 hour of waking up and gradually improved on movement.
There are few exacerbations associated with fever.
- No deformities 
 - No loss of weight.
 - No involvement of distal interphalangeal joint
 - No butterfly rash
 - No abnormal jerky movements (chorea)
 
PAST HISTORY:
She has no similar complaints 10 years ago. 
No history of thyroid, Asthma, hypertension, diabetes 
DRUG HISTORY
No known drug allergies 
MENSTRUAL HISTORY:
- Menarch: 13 years 
 - Regular 29 day cycles 
 - Menopause: 47 years 
 
Family history:
No similar complaints
Personal history : 
- Diet: mixed 
 - Appetite: normal 
 - Bowel and bladder: regular 
 - Sleep: adequate 
 - No addictions 
 
General examination: 
patient is conscious coherent and cooperative 
Moderately built and nourished 
- No edema
 - No icterus 
 - No cyanosis 
 - No lymphadenopathy 
 - No pallor 
 
VITALS:
- Temperature: a febrile 
 - Blood pressure: 115/70
 - Respiratory rate: 15 CYCLES/MIN
 - Pulse rate: 76bpm
 
LOCAL EXAMINATION:
INSPECTION 
Skin : 
No pigmentation 
No scars 
No atrophic changes 
Nails: normal 
Soft tissues: swelling over the joints 
Deformities : no deformities 
PALPATION
Skin: warm
Sensations are preserved 
Soft tissues: no edema 
Joint capsule: mild swelling over the joint 
Tenderness over the joint (squeeze test)
Movements: 
Decreased range of movements at PIP, MCP, wrist, elbow, ankle joints 
All active and passive movements at the involved joints and painful.

EXTRA ARTICULAR MANIFESTATIONS:
Eye: no ocular manifestations (episcleritis, scleritis, keratoconjuctivitis sicca)
Ear: no hearing loss
Muscle: no muscle atrophy 
GIT: no xerostomia, no parotid gland enlargement, no dysphasia 
No lymphadenopathy 
SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION 
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Apex beat: 5th intercostal space lateral to midclavicular line 
S1 and s2 heard 
JVP normal
Pedal edema: absent 
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Breath sounds: normal 
No additional breath sounds 
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
cranial nerves intact 
Reflexes preserved
Sensations preserved 
Joint position sense: intact 
ABDOMEN
No abnormal findings found
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Osteoarthritis 
2. Rheumatoid arthritis 
INVESTIGATIONS:
1. Complete blood picture 
2. ESR 
3. CRP
4. Rheumatoid factor 
5. Liver function tests 
6. Renal function tests 
7. Urine examination 
8. Antibodies 
9. X-ray 
X ray Findings: 
1. Decreased joint space 
2.osteoporosis 
3. Mild erosions 
Rheumatoid factor: strongly positive 
Anti CCP antibodies: negative
C-Reactive protein: positive 
ESR: Elevated
PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS:
                 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 
TREATMENT:
1. Methyl prednisolone 
2. Hydrocortisone 
3. Tramadol hydrochloride