ARTICLE - With rheumatoid arthritis, thinking outside the box means looking beyond the joints

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With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Thinking Outside the Box Means Looking

Beyond The Joints

Mark Borigini, M.D.

Rheumatologist

Friday, January 11, 2008

It is so easy to forget that arthritis is not the only problem we see

with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly when the disease is labeled

and named an ARTHRITIS. However, the so-called extra-articular

manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis can cause significant

disability, even death.

It must not be forgotten that rheumatoid arthritis is a SYSTEMIC

disease, the most basic manifestation being malaise and fatigue. But

there can also be significant inflammation of a variety of organ

systems, particularly in those patients who are rheumatoid factor

positive. Such patients also, in general, suffer from more severe

arthritis and often have nodules.

Rheumatoid nodules develop in about 50% of people suffering from

rheumatoid arthritis, and most of these patients are rheumatoid factor

positive. Another extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid

arthritis involving the skin is vasculitis.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/19064/box

Not an MD