Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis

Read the 2 scenarios then answer the questions that follow correctly and appropriately

Scenario 1: Rheumatoid Arthritis
A 48-year-old woman presents with a five-month history of generalized joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in her hands. She states that these symptoms have made it difficult to grasp objects and has made caring for her grandchildren problematic. She admits to increased fatigue, but she thought it was due to her stressful job.
FH: Grandmothers had “crippling” arthritis.
PE: remarkable for bilateral ulnar deviation of her hands as well as soft, boggy proximal interphalangeal joints. The metatarsals of both of her feet also exhibited swelling and warmth.
Diagnosis: rheumatoid arthritis.
Question:
1. The pt. had various symptoms, explain how these factors are associated with RA and what is the difference between RA and OA?

Scenario 2: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
A 28-year-old obese, female presents today with complaints for several weeks of vision problems (blurry) and difficulty with concentration and focusing. She is an administrative para-legal for a law firm and notes her symptoms have become worse over the course of the addition of more attorneys and demands for work. Today, she noticed that her symptoms were worse and were accompanied by some fine tremors in her hands. She has been having difficulty concentrating and has difficulty voiding. She went to the optometrist who recommended reading glasses with small prism to correct double vision. She admits to some weakness as well. No other complaints of fevers, chills, URI or UTI
PMH: non-contributory
PE: CN-IV palsy. The fundoscopic exam reveals edema of right optic nerve causing optic neuritis. Positive nystagmus on positional maneuvers. There are left visual field deficits. There was short term memory loss with listing of familiar objects.
DIAGNOSIS: multiple sclerosis (MS).

Question:
Describe what is MS and how did it cause the above patient’s symptoms?