![rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013 rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013](https://media.springernature.com/m685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fnrrheum.2017.220/MediaObjects/41584_2018_Article_BFnrrheum2017220_Fig1_HTML.jpg)
Based on this epidemiological data, it is estimated that the total number of RA patients in mainland China is 5 million, The ratio of men to women with RA is approximately 1:4. Epidemiological surveys have shown that the incidence rate of RA is 0.5–1% globally and 0.42% in mainland China. RA can also present with lung and cardiovascular damage in some patients RA may have complications such as malignancy and depression. Although the pathogenesis is unclear, synovitis, pannus formation, joint cartilage, and bone damage gradually occur, resulting in joint malformations and loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with destructive arthritis as its main clinical manifestation and can occur at any age. This guideline is intended to serve as a tool for clinicians and patients to implement decision-making strategies and improve the practices of RA management in China. This new guideline covered the classification criteria, disease activity assessment and monitoring, and the role of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, small molecule synthetic targeting drugs, and glucocorticoids in the treat-to-target approach of RA.
![rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013 rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013](https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/435408/fnut-06-00141-HTML/image_m/fnut-06-00141-g001.jpg)
A total of 10 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of RA were developed.
![rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013 rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis criteria 2013](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d6P0MCjz9T4/maxresdefault.jpg)
The grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) system was used to rate the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations, which were derived from research articles and guided by the analysis of the benefits and harms as well as patients’ values and preferences. A multidisciplinary guideline development group was established to formulate this evidence-based diagnosis and treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China.