Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications (cont.)
Medical Author:
Mary L Windle, PharmD
Medical Editor:
Kristine M Lohr, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Arthur Weinstein, MD
IN THIS ARTICLE
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. |
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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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