75% of patientsQ.RadiographicchangesQ* Juxta articular osteoporosisQ* Joint erosion with narrowing of joint spacesQ.Rheumatoid Factor and Rheumatoid Arthritis:Rheumatoid factor in RA belongs to the igM class0 (directed against Fc fragment of IgG)QIgM Rheumatoid factor is positive in about 75-80% of patients with RAPresence of RA factor is not specific for RAQPresence of Rheumatoid factor does not establish the diagnosis of RAQRheumatoid factor is only of prognostic significance because patients with high titers tend to have more severe and progressive disease with extra-articular manifestationsQ.Causes of False Positive Rheumatoid factor* SLE (Associated with a positive Coomb's test)* Sjogren syndrome* Chronic liver disease* Sarcoidosis* Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis* Infectious mononucleosis* Hepatitis B (Associated with HbsAg)* Tuberculosis* Leprosy* Syphilis (Associated with a positive VDRL)* Subacute bacterial endocarditis* Visceral Leishmaniasis* Schistosomiasis* MalariaTreatment:DMARD's include agents that appear to have the capacity to alter the course of Rheumatoid Arthritis.Methotrexate is the DMARD of choice.DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drugs)1. MethotrexateQ2. Gold compoundsQ3. D-PenicillamineQ1. Anti-malarials e.g. ChloroquinesQ2. SulfasalazineQ">