Autoimmune Arthritis diseases are systemic illness that affect the entire body.
You can't have it just in your knee.
The 1st World Autoimmune Arthritis Day will be held on May 20th, 2012 as a global, ONLINE awareness event! You, or any group or organization, can also get involved. Find out how!We encourage all people to "Differentiate Your Arthritis". This is our major international campaign launched for World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2012:
Differentiate Your Arthritis
Don't rename it, reclaim it.
Define it and differentiate from the norm.
Then they'll understand.
*IAAM does not support any official name change of any of the Autoimmune Arthritis diseases. To view our position regarding any movement to change titles of diseases that fall under the Autoimmune Arthritis umbrella, please view attached "IAAM's Stance Against Changing the Name of Rheumatoid Arthritis".
IAAM is pronounced "I Am". The dots, which are our logo, interpreted mean: the silver and black circles represent all people working together to make a difference. Red is the color of strength and signifies the power we can reach by uniting. The final silver bead symbolizes moving forward and adding more people to this movement in order to bring change, awareness and understanding.
Autoimmune Arthritis*
IAAM introduced the term "Autoimmune Arthritis" to the community in 2009, as a movement of creating awareness about these misunderstood diseases by differentiating them from the other 100+ arthritis conditions. The term originated in medical journals but was never defined. Therefore, IAAM worked with a Rheumatology Board to determine an official definition and to select the main diseases that would fall into this category.
In 2012, "Autoimmune Arthritis" has developed into the politically correct phrase to describe a specific group of illnesses. By differentiating arthritis instead of lumping all types under one umbrella, awareness is finally happening.
Autoimmune Arthritis:
Chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune diseases primarily affecting the joints.
They are caused by a malfunctioning immune system. While joint involvement is a primary factor, because they are systemic (whole body) they also affect the connective and soft tissues and even organs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (SS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE), Still's Disease, Juvenile Arthritis (JA), Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease/Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy (UCTD/USpA)
*IAAM has partnered with a team of Rheumatologists to determine which diseases should be classified as "Autoimmune Arthritis" based on the definition above. Those listed here were determined, by the Rheumatology Board, to be Primary Autoimmune Arthritis diseases, or those that share the most common symptoms, onset, and treatment. We will continue working with the Rheumatology Board to expand this list and to add related diseases. The term "Autoimmune Arthritis" is pending international trademark, circa use in commerce 2010.
Follow the CEO!
Ever wonder what it's like to be the CEO of a global nonprofit? IAAM is opening our doors wide open! Join our Founder & CEO on her daily journey leading IAAM!
Follow on Twitter and Facebook!
Step by Step on Twitter:
Follow @TiffanyofIAAM
Interact, see photos and meet other leaders in the Autoimmune Arthritis community on Facebook.
IAAM is created to be a Networked Nonprofit, running 90% virtually. Our organization is comprised entirely by those affected by autoimmune arthritis, both employees and volunteers. Since we do not have chapters or offices, we train Volunteers to become leaders in their own communities and give them a platform to make their voice heard. We are a global organization, so volunteers have joined us from around the world, such as the US, Guam, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand. Join Us!
DISCLAIMER:
*Based on our current research, there is no such "official classification" designating diseases as "autoimmune arthritis". It is, however, a term coined by IAAM in an attempt to bring together a group of arthritis diseases that share similar traits, symptoms, treatments, and onset, and has been copyrighted by IAAM.
Due to the lack of any scientific classification standards, we have developed a punch list of criteria we have used to designate a true "Autoimmune Arthritis". This includes, but is not limited to primary joint involvement in 90%+ of all reported cases, autoimmune, inflammatory, systemic (full body)-involving connective and soft tissues and sometimes organs, fatigue/nausea/fevers, similar treatment plans. As of this point in time, the Rheumatology Board and IAAM has chosen to only include those diseases that are thought to be genetic and or environmentally/trauma induced. Infectious diseases are not included.
