title: Damage control in rheumatoid arthritis. Hard-hitting, early treatment is crucial to curbing joint destruction.
abstract: Right from the onset, rheumatoid arthritis is an aggressive disease that can quickly alter joint structure and integrity. Such rapid pathogenesis requires that the diagnosis be established early and aggressive therapy initiated swiftly. In this article, Drs Issa and Ruderman describe what is known about the cause, progression, and outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis. They review the steps toward its diagnosis and urge that treatment be started promptly--to both contain disease and reduce joint destruction as soon as possible.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Sakeba N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ruderman
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007555:Isoxazoles; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D000077339:Leflunomide; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate