(CBS) Six million Americans suffer from inflammatory arthritis, a temporary condition that causes painful swelling in joints, CBS News correspondent Tony Guida reports. Half of them will develop rheumatoid arthritis, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself with painful results that can be devastating to joints, cartilage and bone.

Now comes word of a new study offering hope of preventing rheumatoid arthritis before it starts.

"The blood test can be positive in some people before they even develop classical rheumatoid arthritis," Dr. Steven Abramson says, referring to a blood test given by Dutch researchers to patients with inflammatory arthritis.

The test determines if they possess a certain antibody. If they do, the study shows, treatment with methotrexate - a long-time arthritis drug - can prevent their condition from growing into full-blown rheumatoid arthritis.

The study also has important news for doctors.

"Physicians want to treat patients early, but were afraid to treat everyone early because there would be too many side effects," Dr. Abramson says.

But, as the study shows, the risk of serious side effects is worth the reward - for certain patients. Knowing who those patients are, and treating them early, says Dr. Abramson, will help define the future of medicine. As will understanding who not to treat.

"Part of the answer is not to treat people who are not going to respond to your drug," he adds.

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