[Epidemiology and sociomedical aspects of rheumatoid arthritis]

Despite advances in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and the amelioration of disability due to the disease, it remains an important disease. In Finland rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for 3-4 per cent of all disease-related disability. In many cases, those affected are faced with decades of pain accompanied by social consequences and impairment of life quality. New diagnostic criteria are presented.