
Rheumatoid arthritis silently starts years before pain, study finds
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that cannot be cured but can be treated to prevent its progression. Individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis can be identified 3-5 years prior to symptom onset based on autoantibody levels, but only 30-60% of individuals expressing these autoantibodies develop this condition. A recent study has identified changes in the immune profile or signature of individuals at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis as they progress in the disease. These findings could help with detecting rheumatoid arthritis early and developing more effective preemptive therapies.