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David S. Pisetsky, MD,PhD; E. William St.Clair, MD

JAMA. 2001;286:2787-2790.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis involving 0.5% to 1% of the US population.¹ This disease affects women twice as often as men and its incidence rises with increasing age. In general, RA causes a symmetric polyarthritis affecting large and small joints in association with systemic manifestations, such as morning stiffness, fatigue, and weight loss. Although considered a joint disease, RA can have widespread effects on the entire body and can impair life expectancy by as much as 5 to 10 years. With progressive disease, patients with RA develop work disability, functional impairment, and radiographic evidence of joint damage.^2-3

While many conditions can produce polyarthritis, the diagnosis of RA can usually be established by the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. Supporting the diagnosis are laboratory findings, such as a positive test . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Principles of Treatment

NSAIDs and Corticosteroids

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

New Agents

Combination DMARD Therapy

Conclusion

Author Affiliations: Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Duke University Medical Center (Drs Pisetsky and St.Clair) and the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Dr Pisetsky), Durham, NC.

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