RESEARCH - Inadequately controlled pain in RA takes its toll

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Inadequately Controlled Pain In Rheumatoid Arthritis Takes Its Toll On

The Emotional And Sex Lives Of Women

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 16 Nov 2010 - 7:00 PST

The increasing use of biologic agents and of the disease-modifying

drug methotrexate over the last decade has revolutionised the

management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Today RA is much better

controlled. In most cases disease activity can be suppressed when it

flares, the terrible swan neck joint deformities that once

characterised the hands of RA sufferers can be prevented, much

disability can be avoided, and there are rising expectations that

achieving complete remission will become a distinct possibility.

The recent release of a survey that canvassed views from thousands of

women with RA, however, shows the disease still takes a huge toll

blighting their quality of life. Its findings may surprise many

clinicians. Results of the " Good Days " survey, published during the

2010 American Congress of Rheumatology in Atlanta, have uncovered a

hitherto under-recognised prevalence of persistent pain and fatigue

irrespective of disease-modifying treatment. It also shows how RA

impacts the emotional lives of many women, undermining their

confidence and having a particularly detrimental effect on their

ability to develop and sustain intimate relationships.

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208119.php

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