류마티스관절염의 새로운 분류기준

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint swelling, joint tenderness, and the destructionof bone and joints. It also has multiple systemic manifestations, resulting in functional disability and premature mortality. Since theintroduction of various disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and new biological agents, early diagnosis and treatment of this diseasehas become the most important therapeutic strategy. However, the existing classification criteria for RA, the 1987 revisedAmerican College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for RA, have limited diagnostic accuracy for early RA. Therefore,new classification criteria that include early RA are needed. Consequently, a joint working group of the ACR and European LeagueAgainst Rheumatism (EULAR) was formed to develop a new approach to the classification for RA and developed the 2010ACR/EULAR classification criteria. This review describes the content and clinical importance of these new classification criteria.