Rheumatoid arthritis begins years before symptoms appear, study finds
Rheumatoid arthritis starts silently years before symptoms, new study reveals.
Why it matters
- RA begins with immune changes years before joint pain.
- Early detection could shift care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
- Offers new early-warning signs and biomarkers for RA.
By the numbers
- Seven-year study tracking immune changes in at-risk individuals.
- 144 participants in a separate study on hydroxychloroquine.
- Hydroxychloroquine did not prevent RA in high-risk individuals.
The big picture
- Systemic inflammation and immune cell shifts occur before symptoms.
- Cellular reprogramming in naive T cells primes them for autoimmune behavior.
- Joint-targeting signals in bloodstream suggest early immune system preparation.
What they're saying
- Personal anecdotes highlight early diagnoses and delayed symptom onset.
- Some individuals experienced symptoms years before diagnosis.
- Hydroxychloroquine ineffective in preventing RA, according to a separate study.
Caveats
- Study findings are based on individuals with anti-CCP antibodies.
- Hydroxychloroquine trial had 144 participants over three years.
What’s next
- Further research needed to identify effective prevention strategies.
- Potential for earlier interventions before joint damage occurs.