Rheumatoid arthritis: early detection may nip it in the bud

Bijlsma, J.W.J.; Jacobs, J.W.G.; Kruize, A.A.; Bijlsma, J.W.J; Jacobs, J.W.G; Kruize, A.A

Home

>

Node

>

Subnode

Rheumatoid arthritis: early detection may nip it in the bud

Bijlsma, J.W.J.; Jacobs, J.W.G.; Kruize, A.A.

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 149(13): 685-687

2005

ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162

PMID: 15819132

Document Number: 587216

The finding that IgM-rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide were present in stored blood samples in a significant number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis years before the manifestation of the disease, suggests the disease has a long pre-clinical phase. It might thus be possible to prevent clinical disease by initiating treatment in this pre-clinical phase. Recently a Dutch clinical trial was started with this objective. Patients at risk will be randomised to receive dexamethasone or placebo treatment.