REVIEW - Identification of patients with early RA: challenges and future directions

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Clinical & Developmental Immunology, June–December 2006; 13(2–4): 295–297

Identification of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Challenges

and future directions

CATALINA OROZCO & NANCY J. OLSEN

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory

arthritis that affects the adult population. Early

diagnosis and treatment are the cornerstones to prevent joint damage

and avoid long-term costs and disability. This article

reviews the limitations of the currently available tools for the

evaluation of patients with early arthritis, including clinical

assessment, serologic markers and imaging modalities. It also

discusses gene expression analysis, a newer and potentially

promising approach to the early diagnosis of RA.

http://www.hindawi.com/GetPDF.aspx?doi=10.1080/17402520600877794

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