Reactive arthritis belongs to the group of arthritidies known as the spondyloarthritides. There are two main types of reactive arthritis: post-venereal and post-enteric. Chlamydia trachomatis is felt to be the…
Reactive arthritis (ReA) can be defined as the development of sterile inflammatory arthritis as a sequel to remote infection, often in the gastrointestinal or urogenital tract. Although no generally agreed-upon…
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging alphavirus responsible for several infectious outbreaks in the world. After an acute stage of illness characterised by a fever–arthralgia syndrome and rash, joint disorders…
An impressive number of microorganisms live inside and on healthy humans. The normal gastrointestinal tract alone contains 10 14 bacteria, which is 100 times the number of cells in the…
Abstract Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may incur important resource utilisation and work productivity loss, resulting in high costs of illness. Impairment in physical function, which increases with disease…
There are now five anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) drugs licenced for use in rheumatoid arthritis. This chapter examines the similarities and differences between the drugs and looks for clues with…
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition causing joint pain and swelling and sometimes systemic involvement. The aims of treatment are, first, to reduce the impact the disease has…
The optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires tools that allow early and accurate disease diagnosis, prediction of poor prognosis and responsive monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. Conventional radiography has been…
Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the main tool to treat any form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over the years, treatment strategies and use of DMARDs have changed. ‘Tight control’…
B-cell depletion therapy based on rituximab is effective and relatively safe in established rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab is licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate and in…
