Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What Are the Risks of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?
- Salicylates
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nonselective inhibitors of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes
- NSAIDs, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biologic drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Investigational drugs
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The precise cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Although infection has been considered likely, no bacterial or viral organism has been proven responsible. Rheumatoid arthritis is also associated with a number of autoimmune reactions (immune responses directed at the body, instead of at an outside organism), but whether the autoimmune reactions cause rheumatoid arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis causes the autoimmune reactions, is not known. A significant genetic (hereditary) factor has been found in most patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Next: What Are the Risks of Rheumatoid Arthritis? »
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Rheumatoid Arthritis »
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that primarily affects the peripheral joints in a symmetric pattern.
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