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RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS RESOURCE CENTER
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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is not a single disease. Rather, it is a group of diseases of unknown etiology, which are manifested by chronic joint inflammation. Advances in treatment during the last 30 years have changed the prognosis for the more severe forms of this disease. The addition of second-line drugs, starting with gold salt injections and then replaced by the much more effective methotrexate (MTX), improved the outlook for these patients. These medications are administered in the context of a team approach in pediatric rheumatology centers, where physical and occupational therapy have permitted greatly improved physical function. The approval of etanercept, a biologic antagonist to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), has ushered in a new era of treatment more closely tailored to the pathophysiology of the disease.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by synovitis and serositis (inflammation of the lining surfaces of the joints, pericardium, and pleura), rheumatoid nodules, and vasculitis. The hallmark feature of the disease is persistent symmetric polyarthritis (synovitis) that affects the hands and feet, although any joint lined by a synovial membrane may be involved. In addition to articular deterioration, systemic involvement may lead to weight loss, low-grade fever, and malaise. The severity of RA may fluctuate over time, but chronic RA most commonly results in the progressive development of various degrees of joint destruction, deformity, and a significant decline in functional status.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that primarily affects the peripheral joints in a symmetric pattern. Constitutional symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, and morning stiffness, are common. Extra-articular involvement of organs such as the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes can be significant. RA causes joint destruction and thus often leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatment of RA is rapidly advancing with the recent addition of new and innovative therapies.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystemic disease of unknown cause. The characteristic feature is persistent inflammatory synovitis usually involving peripheral joints in a symmetrical distribution. Synovial inflammation causes cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Subsequently, joint deformity occurs. The axial skeleton, with the exception of the cervical spine, is affected later and less frequently.
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