RT Book, Section A1 O'Dell, James R. A1 Imboden, John B. A1 Miller, Lester D. A2 Imboden, John B. A2 Hellmann, David B. A2 Stone, John H. SR Print(0) ID 57271714 T1 Chapter 15. Rheumatoid Arthritis T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Rheumatology, 3e YR 2013 FD 2013 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-163805-0 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57271714 RD 2024/03/29 AB Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic disease that primarily targets the synovium, leading to synovial inflammation and proliferation, loss of articular cartilage, and erosion of juxtarticular bone. The natural history of the disease is one of progressive joint damage and deformity and, in a sizeable minority, the development of extra-articular manifestations. Fortunately, current therapeutic strategies, particularly if the disease is diagnosed and treated early, result in substantial clinical benefit for most patients.