Disease stages
| Disease stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Suspicion of RA | Patients who have not yet been given a diagnosis but may have interacted with primary care or had a first contact with a rheumatologist, and who may have suspected RA (inflammatory manifestations not diagnosed) |
| Recent diagnosis of RA | Patients have been given a diagnosis of RA and usually have been started on treatment with regular follow-up |
| Established disease/structural damage | Patients have had a diagnosis of RA for several years or may have presented late (most likely from less developed healthcare economies). At this stage, treatments may have become progressively less effective at reducing inflammation and preventing further joint damage |
RA, rheumatoid arthritis.