Diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid vasculitis and other systemic complications of rheumatoid arthritis
Revaz, S.; Dudler, J.
Revue Medicale Suisse 4(149): 712; 714 716-717
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 18472732 Document Number: 617805
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that can potentially affect any organ. If the articular manifestations are central to the disease; skin, ophthalmic, neurological, cardiac, pulmonary as well as renal manifestations are well recognized, the latter particularly in the context of a secondary amyloidosis. Although incidence of extraarticular manifestations appears to decrease, likely a result from our more aggressive and early management of rheumatoid arthritis, their consequences remain severe in terms of morbidity and mortality, and their treatments complicated. The new biological therapies seem to be a promising alternative to current therapies, such as cyclophosphamide and high dose prednisone, even if evidences are still limited.