Rheumatoid arthritis: diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition involving inflammation of the synovial joints, systemic features and the potential for organ involvement (Scott et al, 2010). Diagnosis is made based on clinical features and investigations, according to established classification criteria ( Arnett et al, 1988; Aletaha et al, 2010). Early diagnosis is important to initiate disease-modifying treatment and optimize outcomes. The role of the specialist nurse includes assessing and treating disease activity, providing patient education to support self-care, facilitating access to multidisciplinary team, and assessing and addressing associated psychosocial issues.