A new study has revealed that it is important to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) early in order to realise positive outcomes.
Researchers in the Netherlands found that patients who are assessed by rheumatologists soon after RA symptoms appear are more likely to experience less joint destruction and improved chances of DMARD-free disease remission.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that RA affects up to 1 percent of the population worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
This chronic, systemic disease is characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joints, which can frequently lead to joint damage. Researchers in the Netherlands found that patients who are assessed by rheumatologists soon after RA symptoms appear are more likely to experience less joint destruction and improved chances of DMARD-free disease remission.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that RA affects up to 1 percent of the population worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
Current medical evidence suggests that early initiation of an optimal RA treatment strategy-within 12 weeks of symptom onset-can prevent joint damage, improve long-term function, and increase the likelihood of achieving disease remission.
Michael van der Linden and colleagues from the Leiden University Medical Center examined 1674 early arthritis patients from the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic cohort.
Researchers studied the associations among total delay to physician assessment, achievement of DMARD-free-remission, and the rate of joint damage over a six-year follow-up period.
Source:MedIndia
No comments:
Post a Comment