title: Guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: 2002 update.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive polyarthritis that is responsible for over nine million office visits annually. It is likely that most nurse practitioners will care for one or more patients with RA because approximately 1% of the adult population is affected by this disabling disorder. The guideline reviewed in this month's column describes the recommended care of patients who have been previously diagnosed with RA.
authors.affiliation: North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Newsome
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents