Scientists developing new rheumatoid arthritis treatment say it could help 500,000 Brits suffering with painful symptoms
26.10.2023 - 20:25
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The crippling pain of rheumatoid arthritis could be eased for more than half a million Brits suffering with the condition following a scientific breakthrough. A team of Korean scientists are developing a new treatment solution.
New nanoparticles have been found to be effective for easing the agonising condition. Just one dose of the state of the art medicine could provide patients with a degree of relief, say scientists, following trials with lab mice.
Up to 500,000 people in the UK suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, including Strictly star Adam Thomas, who has opened up about the condition while competing in this year's series.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (also know as RA) curently has now cure. It affects two to three times as many women as men, with people most likely to develop the condition between the ages of 40 and 60.
RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.
According to the NHS, RA mainly affects the joints and the small joints in the hands and feet are often the first to be affected. It also typically affects the joints on both sides of the body at the same time and to the same extent - but this is not always the case. It is not known what triggers it.
Study first author Dr Sagang Koo said: "The disease triggers a mix of troublesome symptoms like inflamed joints, harmful cytokines, and immune system imbalances, which work together to create a relentless cycle of worsening symptoms. While targeting