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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diseases
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that primarily causes joint inflammation. Approximately 1% of the North American population, at any given time, is affected by the disease.1 RA can occur at any age, but is commonly seen in people between 40 and 70.2
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has significant economic implications for the individual patient, as well as for society. Individuals with RA have 3 times the direct medical costs, twice the hospitalization rate and 10 times the work disability rate on an age- and sex-matched population. A recent study has shown annual medical costs for a patient with RA to be approximately $8,500. Annual costs rise as the duration of the disease increases and as function declines. Indirect costs related to disability and work loss have been estimated to be 3 times higher than the direct costs associated with the disease.
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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 ... develop it. Like some other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis occurs much more frequently in women than in men. About two to three times as many women as men have the disease.
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Rheumatoid arthritis treatment is a long-term disease of the joints, and its exact cause is unknown. The membrane surrounding a joint gradually becomes inflamed and swollen, which leads to general inflammation of the affected joint. Arthritis usually affects the small joints in the hands and feet (mainly the knuckles and toe joints), but it can ... occur in the wrists, knees, ankles, neck, and low back. Arthritic joints become red, swollen, stiff and painful to move. The stiffness is usually most noticeable in the morning.
Rheumatoid (say: ROO-mah-toyd) arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Usually, your immune system keeps you from getting sick. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks your own body's cells. Joints between bones usually are attacked first. Later, other parts of the body ... may be affected.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis) is a “complete body” form of arthritis. Typically, it involves inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and a limiting of movement of the joint linings. It can ... cause inflammation of internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically affects multiple joints at once. RA is generally a chronic disease that continues to progress and cause pain and suffering. Unfortunately, there is no known cure.
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