Rheumatoid arthritis in paintings: a tale of two origins.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is thought to be a 'recent' disease in that descriptions of it were only noted in the 17th century. However, a study of paintings would suggest that RA could have been present as early as the 15th century, when artists started to paint the human body accurately rather than figuratively. Thus, it was possible to deduce from their paintings the occurrence of various medical conditions. If present, RA with its typical finger deformities should be apparent. This review discusses the known occurrences of RA-type deformities in paintings and places this in the context of the origins of the disease.
Yeap
Swan Sim
SS
Sime Darby Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. yeapss@myjaring.net
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*