Skip to main content
  • 83 Accesses

Synonyms

None in common usage

Definition and Characteristics

Symmetrical inflammatory arthropathy, incident across a broad age range (median onset sixth decade), characterized by articular pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling and loss of function. Onset can be in any diarthrodial joint, but distribution typically includes metacarpal and proximal interphalangeal (IP) joints of hand, metatarsal and IP joints of the foot, knee, hip and shoulder joints, and axial skeleton, particularly cervical spine. Synovial inflammation is associated with progressive cartilage and bone erosion, consequent deformity and accelerated functional decline. Extra-articular clinical features include scleritis, uveitis, pulmonary nodule formation (rarely bronchiolitis), neuropathy, small vessel vasculitis, and extensor surface nodule formation. Accelerated atherogenesis and cardiac failure account for reduced life expectancy (3–15 years). Rapid functional impairment, socio-economic decline,...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,099.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. van der Helm-van Mil AH, Wesoly JZ, Huizinga TW (2005) Understanding the genetic contribution to rheumatoid arthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 17(3):299–304

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Firestein GS (2003) Evolving concepts of rheumatoid arthritis. Nature 423:356–361

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. McInnes IB, Liew FY (2005) Cytokine networks – towards new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 1(1):31–39

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Arnett FC et al. (1988) The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 31:315–323

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. O’Dell JR (2004) Therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med 350(25):2591–2602

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

McInnes, I.B. (2009). Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Lang, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29676-8_1563

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics