Rheumatoid ArthritisInfo Center

Blocked Blood Vessels in RA
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may be at risk of health problems throughout your body. Even if you've never been hospitalized, you and your doctor need to closely watch for signs of complications.
Better RA Test for Native Americans
Rheumatic diseases affect certain populations, such as American Indians, more than others. While there are many blood tests to diagnose these conditions, some of these tests are not always useful.
RA Patients Waiting for Drug Treatment
Even in the first few years of rheumatoid arthritis, your joints can become badly damaged. So doctors often put patients on strong drug treatment early in the course of disease.
RA Linked to Lower Gut Problems
People with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk for a number of complications, such as heart disease and lung disease. Now, it appears these arthritis patients have to watch out for gut problems too.
RA Patients: Don't Quit Your Statins
When you stop taking a medication, your body can react poorly to the change. This may be the case for arthritis patients who stop taking a type of cholesterol-lowering drug.
Protective Partners for Arthritis Drugs
Some drugs used to relieve the pain of arthritis can do damage to your digestive tract. This is why many arthritis patients take other medications to protect their digestive system.
Racial Gap in RA Drug Prescriptions
In recent decades, powerful drugs have been made to fight rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, some patients may not be getting the chance to use them.
RA Patients Get Good Care in Surgery
People with rheumatoid arthritis may face a higher risk of heart problems. This increased risk means that patients need to be screened for risks before surgery. Are current screening methods enough?
Muscle and Fat are Signs of RA Disability
To best treat rheumatoid arthritis, doctors need to know how the disease is taking a toll on patients' joints. But it's not always easy to tell how disabled a patient is. So, how can doctors measure disability?
Rise in RA Linked to Obesity
Obesity puts a strain on your body. As rates of obesity continue to grow among Americans, so do rates of obesity-related conditions like diabetes. Is obesity also to blame for the rise in rheumatoid arthritis?