<s>[INST] What is the prognosis for rheumatoid arthritis? [/INST] Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease with a long-term progression and episodes where the arthritis symptoms get worse. If the disease is not managed, the patient may end up developing some degree of joint deformity and disability. Some patients have to give up their job or change what they do. For this reason, rheumatoid arthritis should be considered a serious disease, although no two patients are the same. However, in recent decades, the prognosis has changed and most patients have a good quality of life and are able to live normally. This is thanks to current treatment strategies that strictly control the disease, have ambitious goals (remission), include early diagnosis and treatment, and involve the appropriate use of new anti-rheumatic therapies, which are very effective.  Source: Clinic Barcelona. Link: https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/assistance/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis/frequently-asked-questions. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Arthritis </s>