Preventing the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is It Possible?

Looking Ahead

Many logistical, financial and ethical questions may arise in the future as we seek to prevent the onset of clinical disease. If a high-risk genetic profile for RA is known at birth or early in life, how soon is too soon to attempt preventive treatment? What is the cost to individuals and to society in expanding the use of conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs to those without clinical disease, some of whom may never manifest clinical symptoms?

Although the field is young, preventive rheumatology may increasingly become part of the medical landscape, and it is worthwhile to better explore this field and see what the future has in store.

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Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J. 

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