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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Commentary

Sex differences in rheumatoid arthritis: more than meets the eye...

Author: Ronald F van Vollenhoven

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Sex differences in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are well described, but the literature is not as clear about sex differences in RA disease course and prognosis. A recent study from a very large cross-sectional international cohort demonstrated slightly worse levels of disease activity and function in female patients with RA, compared with men. These findings are discussed in the context of our evolving knowledge of sex differences in the expression of this prototypic autoimmune disease, both in terms of the actual disease activity level, the effects that the disease has on physical function, and our ability accurately to measure these aspects.
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Metadata
Title
Sex differences in rheumatoid arthritis: more than meets the eye...
Author
Ronald F van Vollenhoven
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-7-12

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