There is growing evidence that without early intervention, rheumatoid arthritis may escalate quickly causing permanent joint damage.
Early intervention may be critical.
For this reason we established an Early Arthritis Clinic at the Freeman Hospital.
This gives RA patients access to rheumatology consultants and specialist nursing care at first onset.
Attendees of the clinic are invited to join the Northeastern Early Arthritis Cohort (NEAC).
NEAC provides researchers with information early in the disease cycle.
NEAC researchers are investigating what genetic and environmental factors lead to escalation of the disease. In addition, we hope to identify key biomarkers allowing us to determine which patients are most at risk. The objective is to identify new treatments to slow down or stop escalation of the disease before it causes irreversible damage.
