Description:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a
chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, chiefly affecting the synovial
membranes of multiple joints. The disease affects the entire body and is
classified as an autoimmune disease. RA usually first appears in early middle
age between 20 and 40 years of age and is mostly observed in women. The disease course is most frequently marked by flares and remissions. This article
discusses the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
- Outline the treatment methods for rheumatoid arthritis
- Outline the classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s):
Dale Landry
Debra H. Wisenor, BS, MT(ASCP)
George H. Roberts, EdD, MT(AMT)
Launched: 2002