Rheumatoid Arthritis: Perspective on Effective Diagnosis and Disease Management
Loading...
Authors
Clark, John W.
Issue Date
2003
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the
lining of joints causing warmth, swelling, and pain in the joint. It affects almost I percent
of the United States population, and affects people world wide. It's cause is still being
intensely researched and possibilities are focused on a genetic, viral, or bacterial basis.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are centered around the inflamed joints, but this
inflammatory disease can also manifest itself through loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia,
or visibly through protruding rheumatoid nodules. Symptoms may appear progressive, or
they may be mild with periods of increased inflammation and pain, called flares.
Treatments need to be assessed by investigating the indications, efficacy, costs, and
side effects. Rheumatologists and primary care physicians need to be aware of the
symptoms, causes, and treatments when making the clinical diagnosis. Physical findings
based on joint examinations, radiographic findings based on x-rays, and laboratory findings
based on laboratory tests, will allow the health care provider to fully diagnose the disease
as rheumatoid arthritis.
A management plan to control the progress of the disease is crucial to effectively
maintain the patient's well being. After the diagnosis has been made, an initial treatment
plan will be implemented to address the patient's perspective, and to weigh the options of
treatment, and review the prognosis. Next, a treatment regimen will be formed to comply
with the patient's pathogenic needs and the patient's preferences. Finally, a close monitor
of the patient's disease is necessary to control the disease, and to implement different
methods of treatment if necessary.
Description
iv, 38 p.
Citation
Publisher
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.