NEWS - New way of classifying RA aimed at identifying the disease earlier

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New Way Of Classifying Rheumatoid Arthritis Aimed At Identifying The

Disease Earlier

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 11 Aug 2010 - 7:00 PDT

The American College of Rheumatology today announced the release of

revised classification criteria (created in collaboration with the

European League Against Rheumatism) for rheumatoid arthritis, which

will allow the study of treatments for RA at much earlier stages of

the disease - before joint damage occurs - ultimately leading to

better patient outcomes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness,

swelling, and limitation in the motion and function of multiple

joints. Though joints are the principal body parts affected by RA,

inflammation can develop in the organs as well. An estimated 1.3

million Americans have RA, and the disease typically affects women

twice as often as men.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197496.php

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