Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and management: a clinical update
- Ryan, Sarah
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common lifelong inflammatory condition that can impact physical, psychological and social function. There is a plethora of drug treatments to reduce disease activity, and non-pharmacological interventions - such as exercise - can help people to live positively with the condition. This article explains what rheumatoid arthritis is, how it presents and how it is diagnosed, with a specific focus on the role of the rheumatology nurse specialist.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
In this article…
How rheumatoid arthritis tends to present
An overview of the current drug treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
How to support patients to manage symptoms
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Key points
There is a wide range of drugs available to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Starting drug therapy quickly can dampen disease activity and prevent joint damage
The rheumatology nurse specialist plays a key role in symptom management and patient education
The multidisciplinary team can also provide targeted specialist input