Can hand pain and mouth sores indicate an autoimmune disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 55 years old, and my hands are ruining my career. It started with my thumbs feeling like they were being squeezed in a vise, and now all my fingers are joining in the morning torture. The pain is symmetrically severe; when my right hand hurts, the left one mirrors it exactly. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) revealed something called 'erosive changes' in the joints, and my blood tests are frightening (RF (radio frequency) 82, Anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) more than 200). I have also been getting these painful mouth sores that would not seem to heal, and my eyes have become so dry they feel like sandpaper. The dryness in my eyes is constant, and the mouth sores are frequent.

Could all these symptoms be pointing to an underlying autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, or is there something else going on?

I am looking for answers, as these issues are affecting my day-to-day life.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

According to the history you have provided, you seem to have rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease whose major manifestation is synovitis of multiple joints. It is prevalent in one percent of the general population, and more common in women than men in a 3:1 ratio.

Clinical findings:

Joint symptoms: The clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are highly variable, but joint symptoms usually dominate. Although acute presentation may occur, the onset of articular signs of inflammation is usually insidious. With prodromal symptoms of vague periarticular pain and stiffness, symmetric swelling of multiple joints with tenderness and pain is characteristic. Stiffness persisting for longer than 30 minutes (and usually many hours ) is prominent in the morning.
Rheumatoid nodules: 29% of patients have subcutaneous nodules (over the bony prominences).
Ocular symptoms: The dryness of the eyes, mouth, and other mucosal membranes is found especially in advanced disease.
Other symptoms: Interstitial lung disease is not uncommon, with manifestations that include progressive shortness of breath, chronic cough, and pleural diseases.

Laboratory findings:

Anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and IgM antibodies detected against the Fc region of IgG are present in 70 to 80 percent of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-CCP antibodies are the most specific blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis, with a specificity of 95 percent.

The (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) ESR and levels of reactive protein CRP are typically elevated in disease activity. Of all the laboratory tests, radiographic changes are the most specific for rheumatoid arthritis.

You need to see a specialist and start treatment as soon as possible. These treatment options are to help relieve the pain and reduce swelling and overall inflammatory activities.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.