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Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disappearing Disease?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not a new disease and has been described in historical writings and portrayed in paintings probably for at least 1000 years. Compared to osteoarthritis, however, paleopathological evidence from skeletal remains of its early existence is difficult to obtain. It was hypothesized over 10 years ago [1] that RA, commonly agreed to be triggered by a virus, could behave like other major chronic infectious diseases, many of which showed large temporal swings in epidemicity. Further, following the example of other diseases, it was suggested that there was an epidemic of RA in the middle of this century and that it will ultimately disappear perhaps by the end of the next century. Such ideas have subsequently been fuelled by anecdotal reports, and it is of interest to evaluate the available data to support or refute the hypothesis that RA is either declining in incidence or severity and to consider possible explanations. If the hypothesis of a recent decline is true, then, in addition to its relevance to those planning health services, such a reduction might suggest new avenues of etiologic inquiry or provide insight into the effectiveness of current approaches to disease management.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Epidemiology Research Unit, Manchester University Medical School, Manchester, UK

    A. J. Silman

Authors
  1. A. J. Silman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 2. Medizinische Abteilung Zentrum fü Diagnostik und Therapie rheumatischer Erkrankungen, Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien-Lainz und Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Rheumatologie und Balneologie, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, A-1130, Wien, Austria

    Josef S. Smolen

  2. Medizinische Klinik III mit Poliklinik und Institut für Klinische Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstraße 12, W-8520, Erlangen, Germany

    Joachim R. Kalden

  3. Mathilda and Terence Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, 6 Bute Gardens, W6 7DW, Hammersmith, London, UK

    Ravinder N. Maini

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Silman, A.J. (1992). Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disappearing Disease?. In: Smolen, J.S., Kalden, J.R., Maini, R.N. (eds) Rheumatoid Arthritis. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76189-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76189-8_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-76191-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-76189-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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