ARTHRITIS: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Course overview

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the bone joints that is marked with a limitation of movement, swelling and pain. In our country, it is the number one chronic disorder that leads to disability among people 15 years of age and older. In 2005, it was estimated that 66 million people, that is, one out of every 3 adults in our nation is affected by arthritis. Additionally, it affects about 300,000 children and it is estimated that it costs the United States in excess of $86.2 billion every year. This course will teach you about rheumatoid arthritis and, at the conclusion of the course, you will be able to: 1.List several types of arthritis. 2.Briefly describe osteoarthritis and gout. 3.Detail rheumatoid arthritis in terms of its prevalence, incidence, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, including pharmacological interventions and the latest research about the cardiovascular side effects of the COX-2 inhibitors and the effect of this research on the withdrawal some medications from the market. 4.Describe some rheumatoid arthritis resources and associations.