Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis - General
Osler, writing in The Principles and Practices of Medicine in 1892, defined rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic disease of the joints, characterized by changes in the cartilages and synovial membranes, with periarticular formation of bone and great deformity.10589 RA is a heterogeneous systemic inflammatory disease, with a variable course that affects about 1% of the US population between the ages of 30 and 50. RA is a disease of immune dysfunction that leads to the development of destructive, erosive disease in the majority of patients. The subtypes of RA include primary RA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Still’s disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily afflicts adults in their most productive years (ages 30 to 50). A disabling and painful inflammatory condition, RA can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. RA is a systemic disease, often impacting the body as a whole, including the skin, eyes, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was first described by Cornil in 1864.4496 The condition has been referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) or juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Idiopathic means a primary disease developing independently and of unknown cause. JIA is arthritis present for at least 6 weeks, commencing in a child prior to age 16. There are no specific tests for this form of arthritis and the diagnosis is made based on a combination of clinical features and history. Blood testing is used to exclude other conditions that may mimic JIA and to help identify which form of JIA is present.10250
Still’s Disease
Still’s disease is a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, characterized by high-spiking fever and transient rashes, first described by British pediatrician Sir George Frederic Still (1868-1941) in 1897, who published a description of chronic rheumatoid arthritis found in children. Still’s disease is known to occur (less commonly) in adults, and today, Still’s disease is classified as adult-onset or pediatric.10283
Content on this page was last reviewed on March 31, 2008.
Content on this page was last changed on March 25, 2009.
References:| 4496. | Cornil V. Memoire sur des coincidences pathologiques, du rheumatissme articulaire chronigue. Comptes rendus des séances et mémoires de la Société de biologie, Paris, 1864-1865;1(2):3-25. |
| 10250. | Weiss J, Ilowite N. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In: David T, ed. Recent Advancements in Paediatrics . London, England: Royal Society of Medicine Press; 2006. |
| 10283. | Still GF. Rheumatoid arthritis in children. In: Allbutt TC, ed. System of Medicine. Vol. III. London, England: McMillan; 1897;102-107. |
| 10589. | Osler W. The Principles and Practice of Medicine. New York, NY: D. Appleton and Company; 1892. |
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