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 Rheumatology
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Definition :
Rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of undetermined aetiology involving primarily the synovial membranes and articular structures of
multiple joints. The disease is often progressive and results in pain,
stiffness, and swelling of joints. In late stages deformity and ankylosis
develop.
Incidence
and Prevalence:
Worldwide prevalence is
approx 1%. Its incidence and prevalence is more in developed countries and
less in developing countries except India. There is now some evidence that
prevalence and severity of this disease is decreasing.
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Morbidity
and Mortality
It is now not considered
as a benign disease .Patients of rheumatoid
arthritis experience lower life
expectancy than general healthy population. Risk of infections
,cardiovascular disease and other co-morbid conditions like depression
is also high. Approx 50% patients stop working after 10 years of
diagnosis of disease.
Risk
Factors:
Female gender , old
age ,positive family history ,heavy smoking
and ethnicity (Pima Indians) are established risk factors for onset
of this disease.
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Protective
Factors.
Pregnancy , Oral
contraceptive pills ,Fish ,Olive oil and vegetarian diet
are considered as
protective factors but evidence is not so strong and more research is
needed to be done in these areas.
Detection
and Conclusion.
Public awareness
regarding the diagnosis of this disease as early as possible is needed.
Because early diagnosis and early
start of aggressive treatment by disease modifying agents is important in
slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
References
Support
the site by buying books from amazon.com
Rheumatoid
Arthritis: Current Trends in Diagnostic, Conservative Treatment, and
Surgical Reconstruction
Author: H. Baumgartner; Buy New: $129.00
Surgery
in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Reconstruction Surgery and Traumatology)
Author: Ian F. Goldie; Buy New: $95.75
Management
of rheumatoid arthritis and its complications
Author: James William Hollingsworth;
Rheumatoid
Arthritis: Aetiology, Diagnosis, Management
Author: Peter D. Utsinger; Buy New: $82.50
Rheumatoid Arthritis E-Book
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
This book, the third volume of the new series 'Current Directions in Autoimmunity', is the first one to exclusively focus on one disease. Written by experts in genetics and
immunobiology, the articles reflect the complexity and multiple facets of the disease process but also show their convergence to a better understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms and the evolving clinical applications.
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