Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that significantly impacts health, causing painful swelling and potential joint deformity. It’s a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, differing from osteoarthritis which is more about wear-and-tear damage. RA predominantly targets joints, often in the hands, wrists, and knees.
The exact cause of RA remains unknown, but it is recognized as an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system erroneously assaults healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation around the joints. This can cause skeletal system damage and, in some cases, affect other organs like the heart and lungs. In the United States, RA is more common in women than men, affecting about 1.28 to 1.36 million adults.
RA, a form of autoimmune arthritis, is also a chronic condition. It is characterized by inflammation and extra-articular involvement, often resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental factors, including tobacco. In RA, the immune system specifically targets the synovium, the tissue lining around joints that facilitates smooth movement.
For more detailed information on RA, you can visit WebMD, Mayo Clinic, the CDC, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Verywell Health, Arthritis Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic, and the NCBI Bookshelf for more comprehensive insights.
