A REVIEW ON: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic multisystem disease of presumed autoimmune etiology. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterised by persistent synovitis, systemic inflammation, and auto antibodies (particularly to rheumatoid factor and citrullinated peptide). The disorder is most typical in women and elderly people. Uncontrolled active rheumatoid arthritis causes joint damage, disability, decreased quality of life, and cardiovascular and other comorbidities. Disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), the key therapeutic agents, reduce synovitis and systemic inflammation and improve function. As with many other chronic conditions, early intervention can reduce the severity of the disease. Long-term remission induced by intensive, short-term treatment selected by biomarker profiles is the ultimate goal.