Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disorder of unknown etiology. This disease affects about 0.5–1% of the population worldwide, most commonly middle-aged women. In many cases, ongoing synovitis of diarthrodial joints leads to destruction of articular cartilage and juxtaarticular bone. The aetiology of RA remains elusive, although it appears that genetic, infectious, environmental, and hormonal factors are all involved in complex, interrelated ways. Extra-articular manifestations can be detected in almost any organ system, causing considerable disease-related morbidity and interference with quality of life. Cutaneous manifestations of RA include three principal reaction patterns: (i) extravascular palisading granulomatous inflammation, (ii) interstitial and or subcuticular neutrophilia, and (iii) active vasculopathy encompassing lymphocyte-dominant, neutrophil-rich, and granulomatous vasculitis. The most widely recognized skin lesion is the rheumatoid nodule, but various cutaneous lesions can be observed either related to the disease itself or to the commonly used drugs.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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