Fast Facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis

This clinical guide provides a simplified overview of how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - the commonest inflammatory disease - is thought to develop, how it is diagnosed and monitored, and how it is treated. Target treatments and future directions of investigation and management are also discussed.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the commonest inflammatory joint disease, affecting approximately one per cent of adults in the developed world. It may seem surprising, therefore, that what is known about this disease is far outweighed but what is not known. "Fast Facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis" provides a simplified overview of how RA is thought to develop, how it is diagnosed and monitored and how it is treated. Fortunately elements of RA pathogenesis are now becoming unravelled and, more than in other diseases, this has lead to powerful target treatments. These are discussed in the closing chapters of the text, along with thoughts on future directions of investigation and management. This text is part of the "Fast Facts" series of handy guides to clinical practice to support doctors and healthcare professionals in their busy and changing environment. Designed for quick and easy acess to key information, this authoritative guide is comprehensively illustrated and fully indexed.