About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, symmetric, inflammatory disease involving the synovial joints, where bone and cartilage erosion lead to irreversible joint damage.1 Despite advancements in treatments, 20 to 30 percent of patients living with RA experience refractory RA, or resistance to current therapies.2 RA is the most common inflammatory arthritis and affects an estimated 13 million people worldwide and it is estimated that 1.5 million people in the United States are affected by RA.3, 4 RA disproportionately affects more women than men, often striking during childbearing years.5
About Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, heterogeneous, immune-mediated inflammatory disease—people living with PsA can exhibit peripheral joint inflammation, enthesitis (pain where the bone, tendon and ligament meet), dactylitis (severe inflammation of the finger and toe joints), axial disease, and the skin lesions associated with psoriasis (PsO).17,18,19 In addition, in patients with PsA, comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, anxiety and depression are often present.20 Studies show up to 30 percent of people with PsO also develop PsA.21 The disease causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints; it commonly appears between the ages of 30 and 50, but can develop at any time.21 Nearly half of patients with PsA experience moderate fatigue and about 30 percent suffer from severe fatigue as measured by the modified fatigue severity scale.22 Although the exact cause of PsA is unknown, genes, the immune system and environmental factors are all believed to play a role in disease onset.23
About Sjögren's disease
Sjögren's disease is an immune system disorder identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. This condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as RA and lupus. In Sjögren's disease, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of the eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva.6
About Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type of lupus, a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and the brain.7 SLE can range from mild to severe and is characterized by inflammation of any organ system including kidneys, nervous system, brain or brain vasculature, as well as potential hardening of the arteries or coronary artery disease.8 This disease most often affects women and disproportionately affects women of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American descent, compared to Caucasian women.9 Lupus is estimated to affect at least 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide.
About Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IMM) includes a heterogeneous group of rare, idiopathic, autoimmune, inflammatory diseases that have muscle inflammation as a common characteristic.10 The causes of these diseases are undetermined.11 This burdensome group of diseases has muscular and extra-muscular impacts that have a profound effect on a patient’s quality of life. These diseases are characterized by progressive weakness, swelling, and damage in muscles and joints throughout the body and can impact major organs, including the skin.12