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,...
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
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
Firestein GS (2003) Evolving concepts of rheumatoid arthritis. Nature 423:356–361
McInnes IB, Liew FY (2005) Cytokine networks – towards new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 1(1):31–39
Arnett FC et al. (1988) The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 31:315–323
O’Dell JR (2004) Therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med 350(25):2591–2602
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights 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
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29676-8_1563
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-67136-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29676-8
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences