What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

O WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS A CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY FORM OF ARTHRITIS. This disease can affect a number of different RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE OF THE JOINTS. THE EFFECTS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CAN INCLUDE PAIN, SWELLING, STIFFNESS AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF FUNCTION IN THE JOINTS. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS CLASSIFIED AS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, which means that the patient's immune system has tissues and even organs, but primarily, actually started to attack the body's own healthy tissue. AREAS AFFECTED DEMOGRAPHICS & STATS CRITERIA FOR DIAGNOSIS IF 4 OR MORE OF THESE 7 CRITERIA ARE PRESENT, THAN A DIAGNOSIS OF R.A. WILL BE MADE. PRIMARY TARGET: Americans have 2. MM R.A., between 0.5 and 1% of the U.S The Joints adult population. Women are three The first four criteria need to have been present for at least 6 weeks. times (3x) more likely to develop RA than men I Morning stiffness in and around joints for at least one hour age 35-50 3. Swelling & fluid around at least three 2. joints at the same time 80% ESPECIALLY THE SMALL JOINTS: Hands, feet, knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows At least one area in the hand, wrist, or 80% of R.A. patients developed the disease between the ages finger joints that is swollen of 35 and 50 A Symmetric Arthritis, meaning arthritis occurring in the same joint on both sides of the body $128,000,000,000 5. R.A. IS REFERRED TO AS A SYSTEMIC DISEASE Manifestation of rheumatoid nodules Arthritis and related conditions (firm lumps in the skin, often occur in the pressure points of the body like the elbow) meaning this inflammatory disease can affect many organs and body systems besides the joints cost the US economy nearly $128 billion a year in medical care and indirect costs (lost wages and productivity) 6. Abnormal levels of rheumatoid factor in the blood Skin, Eyes, Heart, Nervous System, Lungs, Blood, Musculoskeletal Structure Young adults and children can develop RA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) 7. X-rays of the hands and wrists show signs of damage typical with RA (de- struction of the vbone around the in- volved joints). Occurs in all races and ethnic groups O NEW R.A. TREATMENTS AND CLINICAL STUDIES New RA therapy passes pre-clinical testing: this therapy works in the chronic phase of the disease and targets autoreactive T lymphocytes. Moving into phase I human clinical trials in late 2012 (http://curearthritisblog.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-passes-pre-clinical-testing/) AVAILABLEMEDICATIONS NONSTEROIDAL ANTI- INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS): DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (OMARDS): STEROIDS: IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS Used to reduce swelling and reduce pain associated with RA. Over the counter Prednisone, a corticosteroid This medication is used medication, can reduce inflammation and pain as well as prevent joint damage. Side Effects include bone thinning, weight gain, They work by controling the patients immune system. Common examples include azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide. Side effects include an increased to slow the progression of the disease, and can variations include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Side Effects include stomach irritation, ringing in ears, heart problems plus potential liver and kidney damage prevent joints from being permanently damaged. Common forms of DMARDS include Trexall, cataracts and diabetes. risk of infection Usually prescribed to treat acute symptoms, not for long-term use Azulfidine, Arava, Plaquenil, and Dynacin. Slde Effects include liver damage, severe lung infections, and bone marrow suppression CELEBRITIES AFFECTED BY R.A. Jodiiagers LUCILLE BALL PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR KATHLEEN TURNER JAMES COBURN DOROTHY HODGKIN SANDY KOUFAX X-ray crystallography, This artist may This Hall of Fame The Romancing the Stone actress was Red headed The "macho" Pitcher stopped playing due to damage in his elbow. comedian be the first well movie star tempo- rarily retired in the 80's due to his RA. famous for I documented case diagnosed in her and won Nobel Love Lucy of RA in history! mid-40's Prize in 1964 ARTHRITIS ORGANIZATIONS A ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION AMERICAN COLLEGE American Autoimmune OF RHEUMATOLOGY DUCAON TRIATMENTREARCH Take Control. We Can Help" tD Anooton inc THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ARTHRITIS NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY AMERCAN AUTOIMMUNE RELATED DISEASES ASSOCIATION, INC. www.curearthritis.org www.aarda.org www.rheumatology.org The American College of Rheumatology's mission is advancing rheumatology. The organization is for physicians, health professionals, and www.arthritis.org www.niams.nih.gov The mission of NIAMS is to support The Arthritis Foundation ANRF watches for the The AARDA is is the largest national nonprofit organization that supports the more than 100 types innovative theories of dedicated to the young researchers - the ones who haven't yet had the opportunity to explore their ideas. Cutting-edge research conducted by brilliant young scientists with an idea "outside the box" research into the eradication of causes, treatment, and autoimmune diseases prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity of arthritis and related conditions. The foundation is the largest private, nonprofit contributor to arthritis and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry through fostering and out this research; and the dissemination of information on research scientists that meets the mission through facilitating collaboration in the areas of programs of education, research, advocacy and practice support. research in the world, - this is the research funding more than $450 million in research education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical and efficient manner. funded by the Arthritis progress in these diseases. National Research grants since 1948. Foundation. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/ds00020/dsection=treatments-and-drugs http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/rheumatic_disease/default.asp http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0.20496769,00.html http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm http://www.arthritis.org/ja-fact-sheet.php http://healthfinder.gov/scripts/searchContext.asp?topic=752&branch=6&show=1 Achieve Clinical Research www.achieveclinical.com An Accel Rosearch Site SOURCES