RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS
 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease that strikes the joints
and other organs. The immune system protects (immunizes) us against foreign
proteins, like germs and transplanted organs. The abnormal state called
auto-immunity
is
analogous to
being allergic to one's self, and the white blood cells and antibodies of
the immune system attack one's own organs. The illustrations below show a
knee with a large, inflammatory effusion, and a pair of hands with fairly
typical, moderately advanced rheumatoid arthritis.
 RA can
hit anybody, no matter how old or what sex. It is unpredictable and of
unknown cause. If
untreated, RA can
lead to disabling deformities and, in rare cases, even death. It
frequently
leads to osteoporosis and leaves its victims susceptible to infection.
The basics of treatment
include anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and proper nutrition.
Regular monitoring for
osteoporosis with
DEXA (bone density
test) scans is essential.
X-rays should be done
to assess the structure of the joints and early, aggressive treatment
instituted to prevent joint damage. The current standard of treatment
usually includes methotrexate, a drug which is capable of inducing
remissionand preventing or slowing the rate of joint damage.
Now in the 21st
century,
we have wonderful new treatments, sometimes yielding real miracles.
These new treatments,
like
Remicade™,
are the result of recombinant DNA research, and used in combination with
methotrexate or alone,
can make
dramatic changes in RA, leading in many cases to complete remission and the
ability to decrease or discontinue other drugs.
Even the
worst cases can sometimes be brought into remission, which is like a cure.
RA
victims need to be
apprised of these advances, because too many doctors are
unaware of the tremendous strides made in the past decade. This also
includes the ability to deal effectively with side effects and the ability
to decrease or eliminate doses of steroids, the cortisone-like drugs so
often used in the past.
The ACR (American
College of
Rheumatology),
recommends that all patients with RA be seen by a rheumatologist to properly
guide treatment before irreversible joint damage occurs.
The
pharmaceutical companies have worked long and hard to bring these substances
to the public. The Arthritis Center has been in the vanguard of these
research efforts, and has the necessary expertise to use these drugs
safely. We remain committed to the development of essential treatments for
arthritis, and always have several research projects in progress, in
partnership with the pharmaceutical industry and overseen by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). |
