Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease affecting about 2.1 million people today, and causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Several features make it different from other kinds of arthritis – such as generally occurring in a symmetrical pattern. This means that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one also is. The disease often affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand, but it can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease often begins in middle age and occurs with increased frequency in older people, children and young adults also develop it. Like some other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs much more frequently in women than in men.

TREATMENT:-

• Three agents, all of which block the action of TNF-α,
were tested in clinical trials, granted FDA approval,
and are on the market for treatment of RA. In
addition, another agent that blocks the activation of
the cells that release TNF-α also has been licensed by
the FDA.

• As little as a single dose of these agents can seem to
be a “miracle drug” to patients – eliminating
symptoms, increasing energy and decreasing
inflammation. Even more striking is the ability of
these molecules to halt the progression of joint