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Arthritis, Rheumatoid (RA)

Sonia Gupta, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a symmetric, inflammatory disease primarily causing synovial inflammation and leading to the destruction of bone and cartilage. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

Annu...

DIAGNOSIS

Early diagnosis is essential to maximize therapeutic effectiveness, minimize disease progression and maximize quality of life. 

HISTORY

  • Join pain is the primary symptom. It is insidious in ons...

TREATMENT

Treat to target approach is strongly recommended over usual care for patients who have not been previously treated with DMARDS (both traditional and biologics). 

GENERAL MEASURES

Smoking cessa...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Drug toxicity monitoring regularly, monitoring for extra-articular manifestation. 

DIET

Avoid fatty foods and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ, et al. 2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Ar...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

  • Cush JJ. Rheumatoid arthritis: early diagnosis and treatment. Med Clin North Am. 2021;105(2):355–365.

  • Sánchez-Flórez JC,...

CODES

ICD10

  • M06.9 Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified

  • M05.60 Rheu arthritis of unsp site w involv of organs and systems

  • M05.30 Rheumatoid heart disease w rheumatoid arthritis of unsp site

  • M05.70 Rheu arthri...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Early treatment with DMARDs is essential. Treat to target approach.

  • Methotrexate is the first-line treatment for active disease.

  • Biologic agents continue to rapidly evolve and are a crit...

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