Rheumatoid arthritis: A review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with primary manifestations in the diarthrodial (movable) joints. Methotrexate in weekly doses is the most widely used disease modifying agent. The recent development of biologic agents designed to shut off disease activity can be of great b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Missouri medicine Vol. 103; no. 5; p. 539
Main Authors:	Walker, Sara E, Ranatunga, Sriya K M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-09-2006
Subjects:	Arthritis, Rheumatoid - epidemiology Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology Arthritis, Rheumatoid - therapy Comorbidity Coronary Disease - epidemiology Humans Osteoporosis - epidemiology
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with primary manifestations in the diarthrodial (movable) joints. Methotrexate in weekly doses is the most widely used disease modifying agent. The recent development of biologic agents designed to shut off disease activity can be of great benefit to individuals who fail methotrexate therapy. New treatments such as tumor necrosis factor suppressants are effective in up to 80% of patients. It is extremely important to diagnose RA in its earliest stages so that patients may benefit from antimetabolites and biologics before permanent joint damage takes place.
ISSN:	0026-6620