Rheumatoid arthritis

Résumé fourni par la source

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial lining of multiple joints, often leading to progressive joint destruction and disability. A diagnosis of RA covers a wide clinical spectrum, varying from very mild to severely disabling disease. The course of the disease is highly variable. Hand and wrist joints are usually the first to become affected. Presentation and diagnosis are often succeeded by a period of improvement, perhaps induced by treatment, followed by gradual deterioration. Some patients develop extra-articular features such as rheumatoid nodules. There is no cure for RA, and once joint damage occurs it is irreversible. Treatment with (potentially toxic) drugs such as methotrexate and sulphasalazine may slow down or halt the progress of the disease, especially if given in the early stages. Steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

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