Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
04:50
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Outcomes associated with early rheumatoid arthritis
1Professor of Clinical Rheumatology, King's College London School of Medicine at Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, Academic Department of Rheumatology, Weston Education Centre, 10, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9PJ, UK. david.l.scott@kcl.ac.uk.
Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research
|June 10, 2010
Summary
Early rheumatoid arthritis impacts 1% of adults, causing pain, fatigue, and disability. Current treatments achieve remission in only 10-36% of patients, highlighting the need for comprehensive outcome measures.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Medicine
- Health Economics
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1% of adults in the UK and Western countries.
- Existing outcome measures do not fully capture the diverse effects of early RA.
- A comprehensive understanding of RA outcomes is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes associated with early rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight key patient concerns such as pain, fatigue, and disease activity.
- To assess the achievement of remission in early RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical and economic outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis.
- Analysis of patient-reported symptoms including pain and fatigue.
- Evaluation of treatment success rates in achieving remission.
Main Results:
- Pain, fatigue, and persistent disease activity are significant clinical outcomes in early RA.
- Remission is achieved in 10-36% of early RA patients with current treatments.
- Disability, erosive damage, and work disability represent substantial negative consequences.
- These outcomes contribute to the high direct and indirect medical costs of RA.
Conclusions:
- Early rheumatoid arthritis presents a complex range of clinical and economic challenges.
- Current therapeutic strategies achieve remission in a limited proportion of patients.
- A multifaceted approach is necessary to address the diverse outcomes of early RA.
- Further research into comprehensive outcome assessment and treatment optimization is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
01:11Guidelines for Writing Outcome
When developing expected outcomes for a patient care plan, the nurse should adhere to the following recommendations:
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...