Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease, affecting the joints with varying severity among patients. The risk factors include age, gender, genetics, and environmental exposure (cigarette smoking, air pollutants, and occupational). Many complications can follow, such as permanent joint damage requiring arthroplasty, rheumatoid vasculitis, and Felty syndrome requiring splenectomy if it remains unaddressed. As there is no cure for RA, the treatment goals are to reduce the pain and stop/slow further damage. Here, we present a brief summary of various past and present treatment modalities to address the complications associated with RA.
Keywords:
Boutonnière deformity; Rheumatoid arthritis; Swan neck deformity.
© 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
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Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
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Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
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Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / surgery
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / therapeutic use
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Leflunomide / therapeutic use
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Physical Therapy Modalities
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Risk Factors
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / therapeutic use
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Analgesics, Opioid
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antirheumatic Agents
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Leflunomide
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tocilizumab