A 68-year-old man visits the office because he is having difficulty performing normal daily activities with his hands. He has been taking over-the-counter analgesics for pain in his finger joints, wrists, and knees for many years. The patient has previously been evaluated by doctors for "joint problems," but has declined treatment recommendations. He has smoked a pack of cigarettes every day for the past 30 years. Vital signs are typical. The image below depicts the results of the patient's hand examination. Which of the following pathogenic mechanisms is most likely responsible for this patient's condition?

Question

A 68-year-old man visits the office because he is having difficulty performing normal daily activities with his hands. He has been taking over-the-counter analgesics for pain in his finger joints, wrists, and knees for many years. The patient has previously been evaluated by doctors for "joint problems," but has declined treatment recommendations. He has smoked a pack of cigarettes every day for the past 30 years. Vital signs are typical. The image below depicts the results of the patient's hand examination.  Which of the following pathogenic mechanisms is most likely responsible for this patient's condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Synovial hyperplasia, an inflammatory infiltrate, and synovial angiogenesis characterize joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Pannus, an invasive mass composed of fibroblast-like synovial cells, granulation tissue, and inflammatory cells that can erode into the articular cartilage and underlying bone, frequently replaces the joint space.

A 68-Year-Old Man Visits the Office Because He Is Having