Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease. This condition mistakenly leads your immune system to attack healthy cells in your body, resulting in inflammation and painful swelling in the affected areas. Primarily targeting the joints, RA often affects multiple joints simultaneously, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees.
Joint stiffness is a common symptom, usually worsening in the mornings or after periods of inactivity. Patients may also experience fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. Typically, early rheumatoid arthritis affects smaller joints first, such as those in the fingers and toes, and may later progress to larger joints like the wrists and knees.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can include various procedures, such as synovectomy, where the inflamed joint lining is removed to reduce pain and improve flexibility. Tendon repair may also be necessary if inflammation and joint damage cause tendons to loosen or rupture.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 1.3 million people in the United States, being more prevalent in individuals designated female at birth. The typical age of onset ranges from 30 to 60 years, but it can occur at any age, including childhood (as seen in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis).
The disease is characterized by joint inflammation and pain due to an improperly functioning immune system that attacks the synovium, the lining of the joints. Commonly affected areas include the hands, knees, or ankles, often symmetrically (e.g., both hands or both knees).
Statistically, about 1% of the global population is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, with a higher incidence in women. The onset can occur at any age, most frequently between 35 and 50 years.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints. While it can affect any joint, it’s more common in the wrist and fingers. Women are more likely to develop the condition, which typically starts in middle age and is most common in older individuals.
For more detailed information on rheumatoid arthritis, visit the CDC, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Arthritis Foundation, and MedlinePlus.
