Patient Fact Sheet
Lyme Disease
Patient Fact Sheet
Gout
Patient Fact Sheet
Fibromyalgia
Patient Fact Sheet
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Patient Fact Sheet
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
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.
Patient Fact Sheet: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation in the motion and function of multiple joints. RA is classified as an autoimmune disease, which develops because certain cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints.
Vasculitis
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
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.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease associated with frequent clotting in arteries and veins and fetal losses. The clotting results from the presence of proteins in the blood—called antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL)—formed against the person’s own tissues.