Resource Hub Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am... Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic... About NRAS Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type... Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article Understanding your RA blood tests Click below to download or order our ‘Blood Matters’ booklet, for more information on blood tests. Article Seropositive and seronegative Introduction The diagnosis of any disease usually progresses along a well-defined path that has three parts: a history of the complaint, blood tests and, usually, imaging (x-rays or scans). “Seropositive/seronegative” is a term that refers to the results of blood tests. What is seropositive/seronegative? The blood test that is ordered by the doctor in order to help […] Article Rituximab Original Biologic drug Biosimilars (up-to-date at time of writing) Method of administration Rituximab (Mabthera) Truxima, Rixathon and Ruxience Infusion (Mabthera is also available by injection) How does it work? How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, rituximab works by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by the immune […] Article Imaging in RA X-ray Conventional x-rays are cheap and readily available but only show joint damage to bone (erosions) or cartilage (joint space narrowing) at a relatively late stage in the disease. Conventional x-rays are better at showing changes to the bones themselves than to the surrounding soft tissue. X-rays are made up of a type of radiation known […] Article The genetics of rheumatoid arthritis Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered to develop as a result of interactions between inherited (genetic) factors and environmental factors (things that we are exposed to in the environment such as cigarette smoking). Recent technological advances have made it possible to examine, in detail, the genetic factors that are associated with RA. To date, researchers […] Article What is the cause of rheumatoid arthritis? Non-genetic factors Introduction It is seldom possible to say why a particular person has developed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but, in general terms, the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together. It is clear that there is a tendency for RA to run in families. If there is a family member with RA, the risk of developing RA increases […] Article Steroids Steroids are also known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. They are used to help control many forms of arthritis. Steroids are naturally occurring chemicals produced from the two adrenal glands, which lie above the kidneys. During the day, when people are active, there are more glucocorticoids produced naturally. The glucocorticoids are composed of cortisone and hydrocortisone […] Article Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). In the gut sulfasalazine is broken down (by the normal gut bacteria) into two parts: one part a sulphonamide antibiotic which kills harmful bacteria; and a second part which acts to reduce the process driving inflammation as well as helping to control the overactive immune […] Article Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for malaria but has been shown to have an effect on the messaging system between cells by interrupting the inflammatory response. It is this mechanism that is beneficial in both RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hydroxychloroquine has been available since the 1970s and is used widely for the treatment of […] Load more ↓
Article Understanding your RA blood tests Click below to download or order our ‘Blood Matters’ booklet, for more information on blood tests.
Article Seropositive and seronegative Introduction The diagnosis of any disease usually progresses along a well-defined path that has three parts: a history of the complaint, blood tests and, usually, imaging (x-rays or scans). “Seropositive/seronegative” is a term that refers to the results of blood tests. What is seropositive/seronegative? The blood test that is ordered by the doctor in order to help […]
Article Rituximab Original Biologic drug Biosimilars (up-to-date at time of writing) Method of administration Rituximab (Mabthera) Truxima, Rixathon and Ruxience Infusion (Mabthera is also available by injection) How does it work? How does it work? As with other biologic drugs, rituximab works by targeting proteins called cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammation caused by the immune […]
Article Imaging in RA X-ray Conventional x-rays are cheap and readily available but only show joint damage to bone (erosions) or cartilage (joint space narrowing) at a relatively late stage in the disease. Conventional x-rays are better at showing changes to the bones themselves than to the surrounding soft tissue. X-rays are made up of a type of radiation known […]
Article The genetics of rheumatoid arthritis Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered to develop as a result of interactions between inherited (genetic) factors and environmental factors (things that we are exposed to in the environment such as cigarette smoking). Recent technological advances have made it possible to examine, in detail, the genetic factors that are associated with RA. To date, researchers […]
Article What is the cause of rheumatoid arthritis? Non-genetic factors Introduction It is seldom possible to say why a particular person has developed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but, in general terms, the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together. It is clear that there is a tendency for RA to run in families. If there is a family member with RA, the risk of developing RA increases […]
Article Steroids Steroids are also known as corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. They are used to help control many forms of arthritis. Steroids are naturally occurring chemicals produced from the two adrenal glands, which lie above the kidneys. During the day, when people are active, there are more glucocorticoids produced naturally. The glucocorticoids are composed of cortisone and hydrocortisone […]
Article Sulfasalazine Sulfasalazine is known as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). In the gut sulfasalazine is broken down (by the normal gut bacteria) into two parts: one part a sulphonamide antibiotic which kills harmful bacteria; and a second part which acts to reduce the process driving inflammation as well as helping to control the overactive immune […]
Article Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for malaria but has been shown to have an effect on the messaging system between cells by interrupting the inflammatory response. It is this mechanism that is beneficial in both RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hydroxychloroquine has been available since the 1970s and is used widely for the treatment of […]