ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis is mainly a chronic and disabling articular disease with a variety of extra-articlar manifestations. The elinical manifestations of extra - articular rheumatoid arthritis are wide, ranging from common and benign manifestations such as rheumatoid nodules to severe events such as Felty'Syndrome or systemic vasculitis. The incidence of systemic rheumatoid arthiritis seems cumulative over the course of the chronic disease, and the severity of individuals lesions whenfully developed can be of majör importance and even life threatening. A classification of the main features of extra-articular rheumatoid arthritis is given (even if not perfect ), and the elinical manifestations are described.