A simplified tool for screening Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is an umbrella of health conditions in which the immune system affects one or more joints, causing swelling, pain, stiffness and a difficulty in movement of the affected joint.

This presentation might pertain to a single joint or several joints. It may also involve other organs and organ systems. This group of diseases occurs because of a combination of certain genetic as well as extrinsic factors; the course of which varies from patient to patient: in some it resolves, in some it recurs in the form of flare ups from time to time; in yet others, it may progressively worsen gradually over time and could lead to permanent disability if left undiagnosed.

The highly nonspecific symptoms of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose. The above study aims to create a simple screening tool for the timely diagnosis and hence treatment of the inflammatory arthritis group of diseases.