Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and therapeutics in China assessed

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body's defense system attacks the joints through the thin  layer of cells called the synovium that lines and lubricates the joints.  The most visible symptoms of RA are swollen joints and crippling  stiffness, particularly of the hands and feet. It can cause fatigue,  fever, loss of appetite and also impedes mobility and quality of life.

In 2007, the prevalence of RA in China was 0.3%, and has remained  stable. About three times as many women as men are afflicted with the  disease. Earlier, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were mainly  used for treatment and, as the disease progressed to moderate and  severe, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were introduced.  However, with time, education, awareness and treatment options,  physicians have started to treat with a combination of NSAIDs and DMARDs  in the early stages of therapy. Patients are also treated with  traditional Chinese medicine in combination with western medicine, or  independently.