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 Fundraising Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type... Article Blog Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All 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 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 (produced by the adrenal glands) are composed of cortisone and hydrocortisone and help to control metabolism. Metabolism is all of the physical and chemical […] Article Sulfasalazine Background Sulfasalazine was introduced in the 1950s, initially to treat inflammatory bowel disease, but also for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as it was believed then that bacterial infections were the cause of this form of arthritis. Following positive results from clinical trials in the late 1970s it was used more extensively in RA […] Article Hydroxychloroquine Background Chloroquine was developed in the 1930s as a treatment for malaria, but can cause serious side effects. Hydroxychloroquine was developed in the 1970s from chloroquine to have fewer side effects. Hydroxychloroquine is used widely for the treatment of lupus (SLE) but is also an established medicine for the treatment of RA. It is often […] Article Leflunomide The overactive immune system in RA causes pain, swelling, heat and redness. Leflunomide dampens down this process by ‘switching off’ the cells responsible for this overactivity. It may also work in several other ways. Leflunomide is a ‘prodrug’, which means that it is inactive when it is taken. It is converted into the active medicine […] Article ‘My Story’ animation Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNFs were the first of the biologic medicines to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce, so were expensive for the NHS to buy. They had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and CareExcellence (NICE), who determine whether or not […] Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week Background Tocilizumab was at first only available as an infusion but more recently has become available in syringe and pen devices that can be self-administered. How […] Load more ↓
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 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 (produced by the adrenal glands) are composed of cortisone and hydrocortisone and help to control metabolism. Metabolism is all of the physical and chemical […]
Article Sulfasalazine Background Sulfasalazine was introduced in the 1950s, initially to treat inflammatory bowel disease, but also for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as it was believed then that bacterial infections were the cause of this form of arthritis. Following positive results from clinical trials in the late 1970s it was used more extensively in RA […]
Article Hydroxychloroquine Background Chloroquine was developed in the 1930s as a treatment for malaria, but can cause serious side effects. Hydroxychloroquine was developed in the 1970s from chloroquine to have fewer side effects. Hydroxychloroquine is used widely for the treatment of lupus (SLE) but is also an established medicine for the treatment of RA. It is often […]
Article Leflunomide The overactive immune system in RA causes pain, swelling, heat and redness. Leflunomide dampens down this process by ‘switching off’ the cells responsible for this overactivity. It may also work in several other ways. Leflunomide is a ‘prodrug’, which means that it is inactive when it is taken. It is converted into the active medicine […]
Article Anti-TNFs Background The anti-TNFs were the first of the biologic medicines to be introduced for RA, starting with infliximab, in 1999. They are expensive to develop and produce, so were expensive for the NHS to buy. They had to go through appraisal by the National Institute for Health and CareExcellence (NICE), who determine whether or not […]
Article Tocilizumab and sarilumab Original Biologic drug Method of administration Tocilizumab intravenous infusion, once every 4 weeks or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection Sarilumab subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every other week Background Tocilizumab was at first only available as an infusion but more recently has become available in syringe and pen devices that can be self-administered. How […]