RA; Arthritis - rheumatoid
Prevention
Rheumatoid arthritis has no known prevention. However, it is often possible to prevent further damage of the joints with proper early treatment.
Stop smoking. Research shows that the risk of developing RA is nearly double for current smokers compared with non-smokers.
Because RA may cause eye complications, patients should be have regular eye exams.
References
Harris ED Jr., Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005
Smolen JS, Aletaha D, Koeller M, Weisman MH, Emery P. New therapies for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2007;370(9602):1861-74.
Previous Section
