Condition Lookup

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Sub-category: Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Symptoms:
joint swelling and pain, often in the knees, wrists, and ankles; morning stiffness; fever, sometimes with a characteristic daily pattern; rash; fatigue

Root Cause:
A chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the joints, leading to inflammation and potential joint damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, blood tests (e.g., ESR, CRP), imaging studies (X-rays), and exclusion of other causes of arthritis.

Treatment:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate. Biologic therapies (e.g., TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors).

Medications:
Methotrexate (a DMARD), which helps control inflammation and prevent joint damage. Etanercept (TNF inhibitor), which reduces inflammation by targeting a key inflammatory mediator. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) for acute flare-ups.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 1 in 1,000 children, with more cases in females.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of autoimmune diseases. Age (typically diagnosed before age 16).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many children achieve remission or partial remission with treatment. Some may experience long-term joint damage and disability if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Growth disturbances in children. Joint damage and deformities. Eye inflammation (uveitis), which can lead to vision problems.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Symptoms:
joint pain and swelling (especially in the hands, wrists, and knees); stiffness, particularly in the morning; fatigue; low-grade fever; decreased range of motion; symmetrical joint involvement

Root Cause:
An autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (lining of the joints), leading to inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical symptoms, blood tests (e.g., rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP), imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI), and physical examination findings.

Treatment:
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, biologics like TNF inhibitors (e.g., infliximab), and corticosteroids for acute flare-ups. Joint protection techniques, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Medications:
Methotrexate (a DMARD), which helps slow disease progression. TNF inhibitors (e.g., infliximab , adalimumab ), which reduce inflammation by blocking tumor necrosis factor. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) for reducing inflammation during flare-ups.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.5% to 1% of the global population, with a higher incidence in women (3 times more common in women than men).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic factors (e.g., presence of the HLA-DRB1 gene). Female sex. Smoking. Age (typically develops between ages 30 and 60). Family history of rheumatoid arthritis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many people can manage symptoms and prevent joint damage. However, untreated or poorly managed RA can lead to significant joint destruction and disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Joint damage and deformities. Cardiovascular disease (due to chronic inflammation). Osteoporosis. Infections due to immunosuppressive therapy.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Symptoms:
joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, often affecting the fingers, toes, and spine; psoriasis (skin rash with red patches and silvery scales); nail changes (pitting, separation from the nail bed); morning stiffness; enthesitis (inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone)

Root Cause:
An autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints and skin, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease development.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on symptoms, medical history, physical exam, and ruling out other conditions. Blood tests (e.g., ESR, CRP) and imaging (X-ray, MRI) can help confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment:
NSAIDs for pain and inflammation. DMARDs like methotrexate. Biologic agents (e.g., TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors).

Medications:
Methotrexate (a DMARD) to control joint inflammation and prevent progression. Adalimumab (a TNF inhibitor) to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids for flare-ups, typically in topical or systemic form.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 0.1% to 0.25% of the population; 30% to 40% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Trauma or infection triggering inflammation. Obesity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed with medications, but some people experience chronic symptoms and joint damage if not adequately treated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Joint damage and deformities. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Psoriatic nail changes.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Symptoms:
chronic lower back pain and stiffness, particularly in the morning; pain that improves with exercise but worsens with rest; reduced flexibility in the spine; inflammation in other joints (hips, shoulders, knees); fatigue

Root Cause:
A chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to fusion of the spine over time. It is associated with an autoimmune response and genetic factors (HLA-B27 gene).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, imaging (X-rays, MRI showing sacroiliitis or spinal changes), and blood tests (HLA-B27, ESR, CRP).

Treatment:
NSAIDs for pain relief. DMARDs like sulfasalazine and methotrexate. Biologics (TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors) for severe cases.

Medications:
Sulfasalazine (a DMARD) for peripheral joint inflammation. Infliximab (TNF inhibitor) to reduce inflammation and improve spinal mobility. NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.1% to 0.5% of the population, more common in men (3:1 male-to-female ratio).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Positive family history (especially HLA-B27 gene). Age (typically develops between 20 and 40 years). Male sex.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable with treatment; progressive fusion of the spine can occur if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spinal fusion and loss of flexibility. Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Cardiovascular issues.

Enteropathic Arthritis (associated with IBD)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Symptoms:
joint pain and swelling, particularly in the lower back, hips, and knees; diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms (as it is associated with ibd); stiffness, particularly in the morning; fatigue; peripheral arthritis (affecting the arms or legs) may occur along with axial arthritis (affecting the spine)

Root Cause:
An inflammatory arthritis that occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, where immune system dysfunction causes both gastrointestinal and joint inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical symptoms, association with IBD, imaging (X-rays or MRI), and exclusion of other causes of arthritis.

Treatment:
Treatment of the underlying IBD with biologics (e.g., infliximab). NSAIDs and DMARDs for joint symptoms. Physical therapy and joint protection strategies.

Medications:
Infliximab (a TNF inhibitor), which treats both the arthritis and IBD symptoms. Methotrexate or sulfasalazine (DMARDs) to control joint inflammation. NSAIDs (e.g., naproxen ) for pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect about 10-20% of individuals with IBD.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Genetic predisposition (HLA-B27 gene). Active or severe IBD symptoms.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The arthritis tends to improve with effective management of the underlying IBD. However, some patients may experience chronic joint issues.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic joint pain and deformities. Exacerbation of IBD symptoms. Development of spinal involvement (ankylosing spondylitis).