Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check - Take the WebMD Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessment

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check

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THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on November 23, 2010
Sources:
Sources:
1. Guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: 2002 Update. Arthritis Rheum 2002; 46:328.
2. Fries, JF, Spitz, PW, Kraines, RG, Holman, HR. Measurement of patient outcome in arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1980; 23:137.
3. Goekoop-Ruiterman, YP, de Vries-Bouwstra, JK, Allaart, CF, et al. Comparison of treatment strategies in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2007; 146:406.
4. Vos, K, Thurlings, RM, Wijbrandts, CA, et al. Early effects of rituximab on the synovial cell infiltrate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2007; 56:772.
5. McIlwain, HH. Board certified rheumatologist with Tampa Medical Group, Tampa, Florida. In depth interview: February 27, 2008.
6. Harris, ED Jr. Rheumatoid Arthritis. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 1997.
7. WebMD Medical References: “Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics.” “Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis – Treatment.” “Preventing Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability: How Aggressive Treatment Helps.”
Understanding Your Score:
The RA Health Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients better understand how factors related to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring can affect clinical outcomes.

An RA Health Score of:
- 40 – 50
Generally reflects excellent RA care and treatment with minimal RA symptoms or complications.
- 30 - 39
Generally reflects aggressive medial therapy with typical RA flares and complications.
- 20 - 29
Generally reflects a progression of RA symptoms and/or joint changes despite aggressive medical therapy or currently not receiving DMARD therapy.
- Less than 20
Generally reflects marked progression of RA on or off medical therapy often accompanied by significant joint and/or functional disability.

The Health Score is presented for general information purposes only and may not be accurate for everyone with RA. It is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for an evaluation by a qualified medical provider. Only your doctor can determine which diagnostic procedures and medical treatments are right for you. RA symptoms can be highly variable. The RA Health Score is based only on the current answers provided and may vary widely between RA Health Check sessions.

Your Well-being Score

The RA Well-being Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients examine how personal attitudes, beliefs, and support from others may affect their RA and overall quality of life.

An RA Well-being Score of:
- 15 - 25
Generally reflects preserved function and independence while living with RA.
- 10 - 14
Generally reflects someone who has learned how to adapt to the challenges of living with RA.
- 0 - 9
Generally reflects someone who has encountered significant challenges with RA and who may need additional support.

Your Knowledge Score

The RA Knowledge Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients make better medical decisions through a process of self-testing supported by tailored information to fill critical knowledge gaps.

An RA Knowledge Score of:
- 20 - 25
Generally reflects an excellent overall understanding of RA and its management.
- 10 - 19
Generally reflects a solid knowledge base upon which to build.
- Less than 10
Generally reflects someone who has been living with RA and is due for a refresher or newly diagnosed.

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