| ISSN Series: | Fast Facts | | Discipline: | Musculoskele | | Subject Definition: | Arthritis, Rheumatoid-Handbooks | | NLM Class: | WE 39 | | LC Class: | RC933 | | Abstract: | Rheumatoid arthritis is the commonest inflammatory joint disease, affecting approximately 1 percent of all adults in the developed world. Although the disease is now predominantly treated by specialists, it is important that primary care and family physicians understand it and appreciate the considerations governing its management. In this new addition to the FAST FACTS series, the authors describe how the disease developx, how it is diagnosed and monitored, and how it is treated. Fortunately, elements of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis are now becoming unraveled and, more than in any other disease, this has led to powerful targeted treatments. These are discussed, along with prospects for advances in investigation and management. Larry W Moreland is Director of the Arthritis Clinical Intervention Program at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. |
|