Kocher Criteria for Septic Arthritis

Kocher identified four predictive factors that can aid in differentiating septic arthritis of the hip from transient synovitis. Fever >38.5 C, inability to bear weight, serum white blood cell count (WBC) >12,000/mm3, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥40 mm/h were found to be associated with septic arthritis of the hip. The presence of all four factors was 99.6% predictive of septic hip.

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Diagnostic Criteria for Reiter´s Syndrome or Reactive Arthritides (ReA)

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an inflammatory arthritis that arises after certain types of gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections. It belongs to the group of arthritidies known as the spondyloarthropathies (SpAs). The classic syndrome is a triad of symptoms, including the urethra, conjunctiva, and synovium; however, the majority of patients do not present with this classic triad. In general, there are two forms of ReA, postvenereal (Chlamydia trachomatis [Ct]) and postdysentery (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Yersinia), but several other bacteria have been implicated as potential causes.

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The 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint swelling, joint tenderness, and destruction of synovial joints, leading to severe disability and premature mortality. Given the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti–citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) (tested as anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP]), which can precede the clinical manifestation of RA by many years, RA is considered an autoimmune disease.
A joint working group of the ACR and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) was therefore formed to develop a new approach for classification of RA.

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The 2008 ACR Recommendations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

  • Initiating treatment with methotrexate or Arava (leflunomide) was recommended for most rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Methotrexate plus Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) was recommended for rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate to high disease activity.

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Revised ARA Criteria for the Classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

For classification purposes, a patient is said to have RA if he or she has satisfied at least 4 of the following 7 criteria. Criteria 1 through 4 must have been present for at least 6 weeks. Patients with 2 clinical diagnoses are not excluded. Designation as classic, definite, or probable RA is not to be made.

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