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  • About Arthritis
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    woman holding her wristWhat Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbesInflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurseNewly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

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    More of these biologic medications will soon be available. Learn what they are, whether you should consider them and what to ask your doctor.

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    Woman with upset stomachMicrobiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    woman consoling anotherArthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    Woman ExercisingYour Exercise Solution (YES)

    Movement is the best medicine, even when your joints hurt. Your Exercise Solution (YES) is a resource to help you create a physical activity routine with modifications developed and approved by physical therapists.

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    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

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    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices. 

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    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's kneeConquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    woman listening to podcastLive Yes! With Arthritis Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    Walk to cure arthritisWalk To Cure Arthritis

    Join the movement and make an impact by honoring those who rock your world at the Arthritis Foundation’s signature walk event, Walk to Cure Arthritis. Register as an individual or form a team and Rock the Walk in your community!

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Tracking Disease Activity in Inflammatory Arthritis 

Learn how doctors determine if your disease is progressing or improving 

Your rheumatologist is treating you for inflammatory arthritis. But how do you know the treatment’s working? That’s easy. You have less pain, and your doctor can see your joints aren’t as swollen. That’s been the traditional approach – using a combination of clinical judgment and patient self-reports to track disease activity. But with more complex regimens and an emphasis on treating to pre-determined targets, doctors increasingly rely on sophisticated measurement tools instead. Some studies suggest these tools may do a better job of getting patients to remission. But there’s a problem. Many were developed for clinical studies and may be too expensive and time-consuming for regular use, so researchers are trying to make the tools friendlier. Interestingly, the modifications look a lot like the old way of doing things since many give primary importance to patient input.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis 

The American College of Rheumatology recommends six tools for measuring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They fall into three main categories: 

  • Patient questionnaires. Some, like the visual analog scale (VAS) ask you to rate your pain. Others ask how much trouble you have performing daily activities, like dressing or bathing. 
  • Joint counts. The most common of these tests is DAS28, which generates a disease activity score based the degree of swelling and inflammation in 28 different joints.  
  • Lab tests. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) measure body-wide inflammation. 

Most ACR measurement tools include something from each of the three categories. The data are plugged into a formula that produces a number that shows how well your disease is controlled. If your score goes up, it means your disease activity is worse and it may be time to change your treatment. 

Susan Goodman, MD, a rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, says three of the tools – DAS28, RAPID3 and simplified disease activity index (SDAI) – are used most often. RAPID3, a patient questionnaire, takes just seconds to score and may be as accurate as more complicated measures.  

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) 

PsA is much more complex than RA. It not only attacks the joints, but also can affect your skin, spine, nails, eyes and ligaments. Disease activity measures that encompass such a broad range of symptoms have been challenging to develop, and the most common ones have limitations.  

For example, the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) is relatively easy to use but doesn’t include skin symptoms – one of the hallmarks of psoriatic arthritis. The Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) is complicated and requires that patients fill out a lengthy questionnaire. Allan Gibofsky, MD, a professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, says measures like these, often developed for clinical trials, “are not as meaningful in clinical practice.” 

The solution may be a new, short patient questionnaire called Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID). It’s a simple way of looking at the effect of arthritis on a person’s life. Patients rate 12 physical and psychological factors, including skin problems, weight, pain and fatigue on a 10-point scale. A higher score reliably  indicates worse disease activity. 

 

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) 

Like PsA, symptoms in AS vary widely and can include eye and bowel inflammation, heart disease and fatigue. Many rheumatologists think the best measure of disease activity in AS is the ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS). It combines patient self-reports on back pain, stiffness and swollen joints with an inflammation marker such as CRP or ESR. Most patients can answer the four questions in less than a minute and scoring is simple.  

 

Imaging tests like MRI and X-rays shouldn’t be used to monitor AS activity, but some researchers  recommend that patients with AS have routine electrocardiograms to check for early heart disease. 

Treatment Plan
View All Articles
Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis

Treatment Plan

Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis
Learn about medications as well as nondrug therapies used to tamp down inflammation and get ankylosing spondylitis under control.
Read More
Targeting High Disease Activity in PsA

Treatment Plan

Targeting High Disease Activity in PsA
This disease affects many parts of the body so a multi-faceted approach utilizing different therapies is required.
Read More
Making Sense of Your Insurance
Choose the right coverage, reduce costs and minimize claim denials with these helpful tips.
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The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

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Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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