Chronische Polyarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in human beings, with a prevalence of 1-2% of the world's population. Phases of recurrent, generally symmetrical arthritides may lead to destruction of the articular structure without treatment, and result in immobility and total disability of the patient. Epidemiological data give evidence that already as many as 30% of patients in the first year and 70% after 24 months develop osseous defects that are traceable with X-ray. In the past, the aggressiveness of RA has often been underestimated. But basically it is not a benign disease with its inflammation limited to the joints.