A new study shows patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience functional disabilities for as long as two years before they're diagnosed.<br />The Mayo Clinic say difficulties with daily activities like dressing, walking and eating can be seen in patients a year or two before diagnosis.<br />The researchers say this may reflect an accumulation of symptoms between the time of onset and the time required for experts to diagnose patients.<br />They added their study shows the importance of early treatment, …as they found increased levels of difficulty with daily activities continued even after patients began treatment.<br />Symptoms can include joint pain or swelling, …but 40 percent of patients experience symptoms that don't involve the joints …like fatigue, fever and loss of appetite. <br />
