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RA, one of the most serious and disabling forms of arthritis, causes chronic inflammation of the lining of bone joints throughout the body. For patients with this illness, each days activities can present many challenges. The physical symptoms can make simple activities, such as working, enjoying hobbies, or exercising, difficult. Ultimately, RA can lead to a loss of normal daily function, including limited range in motion, chronic pain, and fatigue. A recent study by the Arthritis Foundation discovered the disease typically begins to affect adults between the ages of 25 and 50, but can start at any age, including childhood. Current Treatments - Inadequate for Many The goal of current RA treatments is to maintain normal joint function by alleviating pain, preventing joint damage, and reducing joint swelling and stiffness. Unfortunately, current common treatment methods known as disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are leaving 67 percent of users with daily pain, stiffness, and fatigue, according to the Arthritis Foundations study Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Unmet Needs. The same study also observed that while all RA patients do not experience serious health issues, the majority do experience progressive deterioration of cartilage and bone in the affected joints, and 50 percent of patients experience significant functional disability within 10 years of diagnosis. The Arthritis Foundation findings concluded that while medical advances in RA treatment have contributed to improved outcomes for patients, the majority continue to endure significant symptoms, experiencing compromised daily activities and quality of life. RA reduces patient life expectancy by an average of three to 10 years. As the number of RA patients in the United States continues to grow with the aging Baby Boomer population, and people with RA continue to experience pain, the urgency for long-term treatments increases. New Research Underway, Participants Needed Clinical studies are now in progress to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug for the treatment of active RA. These studies, occurring at clinics throughout the country, are looking for participants who are over the age of 18 and living with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. |
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