Researchers have identified a new protein which regulates the severity of tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and damage to the joints of the feet, hips, knees, and hands. Following the discovery, RA patients most likely to suffer the severest effects of the condition can now be identified early and fast-tracked to the more aggressive treatments available. "Our findings provide a genetic marker that could be used to identify those RA patients who require more aggressive treatments or personalized medicine," said lead researcher Gerry Wilson.
Although there is no cure for RA, new effective drugs are increasingly available to treat the disease and prevent deformed joints. Self-management of the condition by patients, including exercise, is also known to reduce pain and resulting disability. The protein that the…
