OVERVIEW:
- Follow-up visit for established patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Patient reports improvement in symptoms since last visit.
NOTABLE COMORBIDITIES:
- Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed 2018.
- Hypertension.
PRIOR PERTINENT MEDICATIONS:
- Methotrexate 15mg weekly (discontinued due to nausea).
CURRENT PERTINENT MEDICATIONS:
- Adalimumab 40mg subcutaneous injection every other week.
- Prednisone 5mg daily.
- Lisinopril 10mg daily.
INTERVAL HISTORY:
- Patient reports significant improvement in joint pain and stiffness since starting adalimumab.
- Morning stiffness now lasts for approximately 30 minutes, compared to 2 hours previously.
- No new joint involvement reported.
- No fevers, rashes, or other systemic symptoms.
RELEVANT FAMILY HISTORY:
- Mother with rheumatoid arthritis.
RELEVANT SOCIAL HISTORY:
- Works as a teacher.
- Non-smoker.
- Drinks alcohol occasionally.
- Lives with spouse.
- Exercises regularly.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
- No active synovitis in any joints.
- Mild tenderness in the bilateral wrists.
- No other significant findings.
PERTINENT LABS:
- ESR (1 November 2024): *25* (decreased from 45).
- CRP (1 November 2024): *1.5* (decreased from 3.0).
PERTINENT DIAGNOSTICS:
- None.
ASSESSMENT:
#RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Patient doing well on current treatment.
- Rheumatoid arthritis well-controlled with adalimumab and prednisone.
- No evidence of disease flares.
- Differential diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.
PLAN:
- Continue adalimumab 40mg subcutaneous injection every other week.
- Continue prednisone 5mg daily.
- Monitor ESR and CRP every 3 months.
- Discussed potential side effects of adalimumab.
- Reviewed importance of vaccinations.
- Follow-up in 3 months.
FOLLOW UP:
- Follow up in 3 months.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Continue current medications as prescribed.
- Report any new symptoms or side effects.
- Schedule follow-up appointment in 3 months.