Also called: Also called: RA
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoid arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. You might have the disease for only a short time, or symptoms might come and go. The severe form can last a lifetime.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your immune system attacking your body's own tissues.
No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Genes, environment and hormones might contribute. Treatments include medicine, lifestyle changes and surgery. These can slow or stop joint damage and reduce pain and swelling.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Rheumatoid Arthritis(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/876.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/876.printerview.html
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/rheumatoidarthritis/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/rheumatoidarthritisspanish/htm/index.htm -
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/rheumatoid_arthritis_ff.asp
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Arthritis Advice(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/arthritis.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/Spanish/arthritis-sp.htm
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Do I Have Arthritis?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/tengo_artritis.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Artritis/default.asp
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Handout on Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp
- Rheumatoid Arthritis(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=31
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FDA Requires Stronger Fungal Infection Warning for TNF Blockers(09/15/2008, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/tnf091508.html
- Manufacturers of TNF-Blocker Drugs Must Highlight Risk of Fungal Infections(09/04/2008, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01879.html
- Study Examines How Rheumatoid Arthritis Destroys Bone(08/22/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68468.html
- Medication Proves Effective for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis(08/01/2008, American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/press/2008/20080731b.asp
- Drug Combo Improves Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis(07/16/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_67031.html
- High Birth Weight Doubles Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis(06/30/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_66402.html
- More News on Rheumatoid Arthritis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_r.html#rheumatoidarthritis
- ANA (Antinuclear Antibody Test)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/test.html
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/test.html
- CCP(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ccp/test.html
- Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody (FANA) Test: “False Positive”(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/fana.asp
- Guide to Lab Tests(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/guide-lab-tests.php
- Rheumatoid Factor(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/rheumatoid/test.html
- Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)(UpToDate) - http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=arth_rhe/5016
- Helpful Treatments Keep People with Arthritis Moving(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/205_pain.html
- Joint Injection/Aspiration(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/injection_new.asp?aud=pat
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Joint Replacement Surgery and You(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Joint_Replacement/default.asp
- Joint Surgery Center(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/surgery-center.php
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Medicines: A Guide for Adults(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) - http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/healthInfo.cfm?infotype=sg&DocID=86&ProcessID=14
- Common Therapies to Consider(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/common-therapies-to-consider.php
- Meditation(Arthritis Foundation) - http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2001_archives/2001_01_02_meditation.asp
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Complementary and Alternative Medicine(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/RA/
- Diet and Your Arthritis(Arthritis Foundation) - http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/nutrition/diet.asp
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Do Certain Foods Worsen Symptoms?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/rheumatoid-arthritis/AN00198/METHOD=print
- Relieving Arthritis(American Occupational Therapy Association) - http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Conditions/Arthritis/35194.aspx
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What You Need to Know about Arthritis(American Physical Therapy Association) - http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=20393&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.apta.org/AM/Images/APTAIMAGES/ContentImages/ptandbody/Arthritis/ArthritisSpainish.pdf
- 51 Ways to Be Good to Your Joints -- Lose Weight(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/joints-weight.php
- Exercise and Arthritis(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/exercise-intro.php
- How to Care for Yourself(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/how-to-care-for-yourself.php
- Living Well with a Rheumatic Disease(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/livingwell.asp
- Pain Center: Understanding Your Pain(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/understanding-pain.php
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: 7 Ways to Protect Your Joints(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/arthritis/AR00015/METHOD=print
- Arthritis of the Shoulder(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00222
- Arthritis of the Wrist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00218
- Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00396
- Palindromic Rheumatism(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/palindromic-rheumatism/HQ01171/METHOD=print
- Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00163&return_link=0
- Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PatientsPublic/HandConditions/ArthritisRheumatoidArthritis/Arthritis_Rheumatoi.htm
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Headache and Arthritis(National Headache Foundation) - http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Arthritis
Also available in Spanish http://www.headaches.org/education/Spanish_Topics/La_Artritis_Y_El_Dolor_de_Cabeza
- Immune System and Its Link to Rheumatic Diseases(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/immunesystem.asp
- Marriage and Family(Arthritis Foundation) - http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/Relationships/marriage_and_family.asp
- Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec20/ch230/ch230h.html
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can It Affect the Lungs?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/rheumatoid-arthritis/AN00345/METHOD=print
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What People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Need to Know about Osteoporosis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/osteoporosis_ra.asp
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Rheumatoid Arthritis(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/rheumatoidarthritis/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/rheumatoidarthritisspanish/htm/index.htm
- Inflammation: What You Need to Know(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/symptoms/inflammation/hic_inflammation_what_you_need_to_know.aspx
- Joint Atlas(Arthritis Foundation) - http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2000_archives/2000_03_04_joint_atlas_with_image.asp
- Financial Planning: An Introduction(Arthritis Foundation) - http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/Financial_Planning/Introduction/financial_intro.asp
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Arthritis, Rheumatoid(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Arthritis,+Rheumatoid%22
- Heredity and Arthritis(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/heredity.asp
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Twin Study Reveals Three Genes Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/three_genes_ra.asp
- American College of Rheumatology 2008 Press Releases(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/press/2008/index.asp
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Antirheumatic, Antimalarial Treatment Reduces Diabetes Risk in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2008/Diabetes_RA.asp
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Despite Decrease in Disease Activity, Workforce Dropout Rate in Women With RA Remains High(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/disease_activity_workforce_dropout_in_women_with_RA.asp
- Journal Summaries on Arthritis Research(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/journal-summaries.php
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Rheumatoid Arthritis(National Institutes of Health) - Links to PDF - http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/arthritis.pdf
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Disease(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/research/summaries/ra-heart-disease.asp
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs in Development(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs/AR00041/METHOD=print
- Rheumatoid Arthritis May Be Prevented with Early Treatment(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/research/summaries/promptstudy.asp
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: What is the significance of "rheumatoid nodules?" I have a... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18727188&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: An evidence-informed, integrated framework for rheumatoid arthritis care. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18668611&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Power Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18668537&tool=MedlinePlus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=arthritis,rheumatoid[majr]+NOT+(spondylitis,ankylosing[majr]+OR+sjogren’s+syndrome[majr]+OR+arthritis,juvenile+rheumatoid[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+AND+(jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- A-Team: A Glossary of Health Professionals(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/juvenile-arthritis-team-members.php
- Arthritis Glossary(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/arthritis/hic_arthritis_glossary.aspx
- American College of Rheumatology: Geographic Membership Directory(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/directory/geo.asp
- Arthritis Foundation: Local Office Directory(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
- American College of Rheumatology - http://www.rheumatology.org/
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Arthritis Foundation - http://www.arthritis.org/
Also available in Spanish http://ww2.arthritis.org/Espanol/default.asp
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
- Arthritis Today(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-today-magazine.php
- Pregnancy & Rheumatic Disease(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/pregnancy.asp
- Ankylosing Spondylitis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankylosingspondylitis.html
- Arthritis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arthritis.html
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/juvenilerheumatoidarthritis.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Rheumatoid Arthritis is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/