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The patients were referred to rheumatology specialists for further testing and all were diagnosed with the condition.

"We hope the data will help us discover new treatment targets," says Jonsson, assistant professor of rheumatology.

"When women with RA go through pregnancy, there often is a natural improvement," said lead study investigator Damini Jawaheer, research associate professor of medicine in rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Taylor said she was referred for an outpatient rheumatology appointment two years ago.

Even though a link between low temperature and pain has not been proven, Dr. Timothy E. McAlindon, chief of rheumatology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, said it would make sense.