Rheumatology & Immunology

Rheumatoid arthritis — symmetric small-joint polyarthritis with prolonged morning stiffness (>1 hour).

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody — more specific than rheumatoid factor and predicts erosive disease.

Methotrexate, started early to slow disease progression; biologics (e.g., TNF inhibitors) are added if inadequate response.

Felty syndrome — the triad of rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly, and neutropenia. Other extra-articular complications include interstitial lung disease and vasculitis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — a multisystem autoimmune disease with mucocutaneous, joint, serosal, renal, and hematologic involvement.