Polyarthritis
Polyarthritis Causes
Auto-immune disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, and Lupus erythematosus usually cause polyarthritis as well as infections such as Ross River Virus. Gout or pseudogout may also result in inflammatory polyarthritis, but only on rare cases. Another cause of polyarthritis is the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease.
Polyarthritis Definition
Polyarthritis is a type of arthritis that involves the inflammation of five or more joints.
Polyarthritis Diagnosis
Physicians examine results of laboratory tests such as complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor test, aspartate aminotransferase test, creatinine level, and urinalysis. Chondrocalcinosis usually show on radiographs of affected joints. However, doctors confirm their diagnosis when they find calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the synovial fluid of inflamed joints.
Polyarthritis Symptoms and Signs
Polyarthritis can occur in any age group and gender. Patients over 60 years old may suddenly experience polyarthritis. They typically feel pain and swelling of the wrists aw well as stiff and restricted shoulder joints.
Polyarthritis Treatment
Patients are advised to sleep on firm mattresses and use a flat pillow in order to alleviate pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints. Treatment is also for slowing the damage of joints and reduces the possibility of the patient's disability in the future.