title: Historical perspective on the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Contributions of historical analyses to the development of a cogent etiologic theory of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been limited to date. In this article, the authors analyze this literature with respect to the types and conclusions of the research that has been conducted, present the major points of evidence and conclusions that have been drawn, and trace the evolution of 3 historical theories of RA. The authors combine a comprehensive overview of paintings and paleopathological investigations with consideration of contemporary immunologic and genetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 2130 Taubman Center, SPC 5340, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340, USA.
authors.forename: Pouya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Entezami
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Clapham
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010164:Paleopathology