Rheumatoid arthritis commonly leads to which pericardial condition?

Rheumatoid arthritis commonly leads to which pericardial condition?

• A. Fibrinous pericarditis
• B. Fibrous pericarditis
• C. Purulent pericarditis
• D. Serous pericarditis

Answer: (B)

Rheumatoid arthritis drives chronic autoimmune inflammation in serous membranes, including the pericardium. This inflammation often starts with a fibrinous exudate lining the pericardial surfaces, but when it persists, the fibrin is organized into scar tissue. The result is a thickened, adherent pericardium — fibrous pericarditis. In other words, chronic inflammatory injury from RA can progress from an acute fibrinous phase to a fibrous, scarred pericardium, which is why fibrous pericarditis is the best description of its pericardial involvement. Purulent points to infection, serous to noninflammatory effusion, and while fibrinous changes occur, the chronic, organized outcome RA tends to produce is fibrous change.

Rheumatoid arthritis drives chronic autoimmune inflammation in serous membranes, including the pericardium. This inflammation often starts with a fibrinous exudate lining the pericardial surfaces, but when it persists, the fibrin is organized into scar tissue. The result is a thickened, adherent pericardium — fibrous pericarditis. In other words, chronic inflammatory injury from RA can progress from an acute fibrinous phase to a fibrous, scarred pericardium, which is why fibrous pericarditis is the best description of its pericardial involvement. Purulent points to infection, serous to noninflammatory effusion, and while fibrinous changes occur, the chronic, organized outcome RA tends to produce is fibrous change.