Rheumatoid Arthritis

A group of experts—nurse, surgeon, and physical therapist—from the Department of Surgery/Orthopedics at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences to prepare the following articles representing the most up-to-date knowledge on the subject.

Abstract

Recognized as early as the fourteenth century B.C., rheumatoid arthritis remains a disease for which neither cause nor cure has yet been definitely identified; one in which physical and psychologic factors are almost inextricably interrelated; and one in which both long-established treatments (salicylates, for instance) and newer therapies (steroids and preventive surgery) have their place. It is, furthermore, a disease in which the nurse's attitude and approach are as important as her technical skills. Some 12 million persons in this country are estimated to have rheumatoid arthritis, and its toll—in terms of lost productivity, health, and happiness—is considerable. However, the outlook for the rheumatoid arthritic is brighter today than it has ever been before. For that reason, the Journal, requested a group of experts—nurse, surgeon, and physical therapist—from the Department of Surgery/Orthopedics at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences to prepare the following articles representing the most up-to-date knowledge on the subject.