Rheumatoid Arthritis
Evidence: Antibody
Names
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA
Description
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease marked by inflammation and damage to joints, surrounding bone, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This disorder usually affects both sides of the body (i.e. both ankles or both wrists). It can also damage the lungs, heart, eyes, skin, and various other body systems.
Joints affected by RA are often painful, stiff, and swollen, especially in the morning, and symptoms typically appear in flares followed by remission. Research has not determined the cause of RA but associations have been found with certain genes, infections, and hormonal changes. Risk also increases with inhalation of hazardous particles in certain occupations and chronic smoking.
There is no cure, though treatments to manage symptoms are available. Prognosis is dependent on disease severity and timely treatment. Some patients experience mild symptoms with long remissions, while others experience intense symptoms for extended periods of time with few remissions. The condition is progressive, and patients often worsen over time. Patients with severe cases may develop disability due to musculoskeletal damage, and some may experience serious cardiac complications.
Patient Groups
Prevalence
US Prevalence: 1,056,000 - 2,528,000 [Tuncer 2018]
Typical Age of onset
Rheumatoid arthritis appears between ages 30 and 60 for women and later in life for men. van der Woude (2018)
Symptoms
Pain or tenderness in multiple joints
Swelling or warmth in multiple joints
Joint stiffness lasting at least 6 weeksMorning stiffness lasting at least 30 minutes
Joint pain on both sides of the body
Fatigue
Low-grade fever
Weight loss
Bumps (nodules) found near irritated joints, the heel, ankle, fingers, or toes
Raised purple spots on the skin (palpable purpura)
Numbness and tingling in the hand or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
