Setting sights on earlier care and more personalized options for patients: World Arthritis Day 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis, a destructive immune-mediated disease causing chronic pain, stiffness and swelling of joints, can present and behave differently in different individuals. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis have a more highly active form of the disease that can lead to worse outcomes if left untreated or under-treated. Research has shown that these people may test positive for disease-causing autoantibodies (proteins produced by the immune system that are directed to attack one or more of the person’s own proteins) such as anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) or rheumatoid factor (RF). Knowing that a patient is positive for these biomarkers may be able to give physicians and patients helpful, predictive information right from the start.