Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.

References

• {{note|ODell}}O'Dell JR. Therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(25):2591-602 PMID 15201416