"It's very important to increase awareness of Rheumatoid Arthritis so women can get the right treatment early. Patients often ignore their symptoms, think there is no treatment or see an Orthopedic surgeon who may treat them differently. Due to this lack of awareness in the UAE a correct diagnosis may take up to 14 months, by which time active disease levels can be very high and permanent joint damage may have set in," said Dr. Humeira Badsha, Consultant Rheumatologist. Dr. Badsha is planning a study to see how women are affected by RA as compared with men. [Wired by: PressReleaseNetwork.com]