title: Problem based review: the patient with recent onset polyarthritis.
abstract: A wide variety of conditions can present as acute polyarthritis, ranging from those that are potentially life threatening, to those that are self-limiting, and those that represent the early stages of a persistent and potentially destructive form of arthritis. In this article, we describe the diagnostic approach and initial management of patients with recent onset polyarthritis, with the aid of an illustrative case vignette.
authors.affiliation: Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital (Jurong Health).
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suresh
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital (Jurong Health).
authors.forename: Preetha Venugopalan
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital (Jurong Health).
authors.forename: May Zin
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Myint
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans