Walsh & Hoyt: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common rheumatic disease, affecting about 12% of adults. It is an additive, symmetric, deforming, peripheral polyarthritis. Although any joint may become affected, the disease primarily attacks the small joints of the hands and feet. Eighty to 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an autoantibody directed against IgG in their serum: the rheumatoid factor. The ESR often is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and some investigators suggest that the ESR is the laboratory test that best correlates with disease activity.