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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Articles tagged with "Diagnostic Criteria"

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Systemic lupus erythematosus, often called SLE or lupus, is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body. It is sometimes labeled the “great imitator” because its wide variety of symptoms can often be confused with other disorders. Usually, patients with SLE experience skin rashes and arthritis as well as fatigue and fever, and the disease can be fatal. However, improvements in therapy have significantly increased these patients’ quality of life and their life expectancy.

Meet the HEP C Challenge

Dimitrios Vassilopoulos, MD, and Leonard H. Calabrese, DO  |  

Keep a hepatitis C virus infection from hindering RA treatment

Vasculitis

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Vasculitis is a general term for a group of rare diseases that involve inflammation of blood vessels. There are many types of vasculitis, and the different diseases that fall under this term may vary significantly when it comes to symptoms, severity, and duration. Most forms of vasculitis are rare and affect both men and women of all ages.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

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Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a condition in which an area of jawbone is not covered by the gums that has lasted for more than eight weeks. ONJ occurs when a facial bone begins to starve from a permanent or temporary lack of blood. As the name indicates—with osteo meaning bone and necrosis meaning death—the bone begins to die, causing pain and deterioration.

The RA Body Connection

Terry Hartnett  |  

Novel research explores a possible link between BMI and RA

Pseudogout

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Pseudogout is a type of arthritis that, as the name implies, can cause symptoms similar to gout, but which are a reaction to a different type of crystal deposit. This type of arthritis may be one of the most misunderstood forms, and is often mistaken for gout and other conditions, including RA. Proper diagnosis is important because untreated pseudogout may lead to a severe form of joint degeneration and ongoing inflammation, resulting in chronic disability.