Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting around 1% of the population, making it the most common inflammatory arthritis seen by physicians.
RA affects primarily the small joints of the hands and feet, has a chronic course and if not treated aggressively is a major cause of work loss, decreased quality of life, increased joint replacement surgery and mortality.
Patients are usually in their 50’s when diagnosed and it is seen slightly more in females. It is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and signs of arthritis; laboratory and radiographic tests help to confirm the diagnosis and are useful as prognostic factors.
RA can sometimes present in large joints like the knees and shoulder but this is less common.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of RA is made through the clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Laboratory tests or radiographic examinations are helpful and can be useful in determining prognostic information but are not necessary for making an RA diagnosis. Patients usually present with more than 6 weeks history of bilateral, symmetric pain and swelling of the small joints of the hands and feet. Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour is commonly reported but can be seen in other inflammatory conditions also. In any patient presenting with the above clinical picture RA needs to be considered. For the confirmation of diagnosis and starting disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment, patients need to be referred to a rheumatologist at this stage.
The physicians at the Center for Arthritis and Autoimmunity and the Seligman Center for Advanced Therapeutics offer expert evaluation and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The Seligman Center is one of the leading centers for clinical research in rheumatoid arthritis in the US. Randomized clinical trials of latest biologic and non-biologic therapies for RA are conducted by the clinical investigators at the Center. Participation in these trials not only helps to advance our knowledge of disease treatment but also provides opportunities for our patients with few treatment options to have the opportunity to get their disease under control. Patients may inquire directly about the latest clinical trials or request a referral from their physician.
In addition, our longitudinal patient monitoring database is unique in New York in that all patients are followed at each visit with outcome measures collected with patient questionnaires and physician assessments. This has helped us to develop our own investigator initiated research proposals and made it possible to improve the care we provide for our patients.
For more information call:
Center for Arthritis and Autoimmunity: 212-598-6516;
or the Seligman Center for Advanced Therapeutics: 646-356-9400.