Abstract
Significant advancements have been made in the discovery of gene signatures, biomarkers,
novel therapeutic targets, diagnostic tools, and risk factors that predict the development
of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is also overwhelming evidence that treatment of
early RA can prevent or alter disease progression and potentially lead to drug-free
remission. Despite these advancements, there are significant challenges to identifying
patients at risk of developing RA on a global scale. This commentary provides an overview
of challenges related to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of RA in
the context of health care systems. Patient-level, provider-level, and health care
system–level barriers to implementing prevention strategies are discussed. Strategies
and opportunities to address these challenges, on both a local and global scale, are
reported. Benefits as well as potential negative consequences that may be associated
with implementation of prevention strategies for RA are discussed in the context of
individuals and public health.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 09, 2019
Accepted:
April 10,
2019
Received in revised form:
March 8,
2019
Received:
February 6,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.
