Jeffrey A. Sparks, MD, MMSc
CME Objective: To review current evidence for risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Funding Source: American College of Physicians.
Acknowledgment: The author thanks Tom W.J. Huizinga, MD, PhD, and Theodore Pincus, MD, authors of the previous version of this In the Clinic.
Disclosures: Dr. Sparks, ACP Contributing Author, has nothing to disclose. The form can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M18-2488.
Editors' Disclosures: Christine Laine, MD, MPH, Editor in Chief, reports that her spouse has stock options/holdings with Targeted Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Darren B. Taichman, MD, PhD, Executive Editor, reports that he has no financial relationships or interests to disclose. Cynthia D. Mulrow, MD, AppendiMSc, Senior Deputy Editor, reports that she has no relationships or interests to disclose. Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Deputy Editor, reports that she has no financial relationships or interest to disclose. Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHS, Deputy Editor, reports that she has stock holdings/options in Eli Lilly and Pfizer. Sankey V. Williams, MD, Deputy Editor, reports that he has no financial relationships or interests to disclose. Catharine B. Stack, PhD, MS, Deputy Editor for Statistics, reports that she has stock holdings in Proctor & Gamble, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.
With the assistance of additional physician writers, the editors of Annals of Internal Medicine develop In the Clinic using MKSAP and other resources of the American College of Physicians.
In the Clinic does not necessarily represent official ACP clinical policy. For ACP clinical guidelines, please go to https://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/guidelines/.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by painful, swollen joints that can severely impair physical function and quality of life. The presenting symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, swelling, and stiffness are common in clinical practice, so familiarity with diagnosing and managing RA is crucial. Patients with RA are at greater risk for serious infection, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality than the general population. In recent years, early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and expanded therapeutic options of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have markedly improved both the management and long-term prognosis of RA.
Sparks JA. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170:ITC1–ITC16. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/AITC201901010
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© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(1):ITC1-ITC16.
DOI: 10.7326/AITC201901010
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology.
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