Current understanding of rheumatoid arthritis.

A full understanding of rheumatoid arthritis depends on the appreciation of clinical, radiological, immunological, genetic, biochemical, and structural mechanisms. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the destruction of tissue structures such as articular cartilage and bone, but may also involve tendonous tissue, artery walls, cardial structures, and sclera of the eye. Structural analysis of tissue obtained by biopsy and operation in rheumatoid arthritis patients reveals a complicated mosaic of different components, which are together responsible for the clinical symptoms and destructive nature of the disease.