Abstract

EVALUATION AND MARKERS OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

*Dr. Jinan Abdulabbas Shamkhi, Ihsan Alwan Chyad and Dr. Khulood Tahseen Mahdi

ABSTRACT

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis in adults, affecting between 1.3 and 1.8 million Americans.[1,2] It is a disease of unknown but immunologically mediated origin. RA is more common in women and may occur at any age, with peak incidence occurring at ages 50-60 years.3 RA is typically characterized by morning stiffness and symmetrical joint swelling of the feet, hands, and knees, although any joint (and in some cases, internal organs and skin) may be involved.3 RA is considered a clinical syndrome that, if not controlled, leads to permanent joint damage and deformity in some individuals.[4] The course of RA may also occasionally be complicated by skin, eye, heart, lung, hematologic, and other extra-articular manifestations.[3]

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