How to investigate: Pre-clinical rheumatoid arthritis

Publication date: Available online 15 October 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical RheumatologyAuthor(s): Patrícia Martins, João Eurico FonsecaAbstractMultiple studies have shown that there is a pre-clinical period preceding the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). During this period, complex interactions between the environmental and genetic causes occur, and the expression “preclinical RA” has been proposed to define it. Early treatment intervention is associated with less joint damage and has an increased possibility of achieving remission. In this review, we provide an overview of the preclinical phases of RA, new immunological and imaging biomarkers, and the clinical features, and the management of individuals at-risk of developing RA.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research