Rheumatoid arthritis, often abbreviated as RA, is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It primarily affects joints, causing painful swelling due to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in the body. RA commonly targets joints in the hands, wrists, and knees, and is known for joint stiffness that worsens in the mornings and after periods of inactivity. Symptoms also include fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
Early stages of rheumatoid arthritis typically affect smaller joints, especially those connecting fingers to hands and toes to feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms often extend to larger joints such as the wrists and knees. RA is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the entire body, including extra-articular (outside the joints) manifestations.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex condition often resulting from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, including tobacco exposure. Its clinical features, including articular manifestations, vary among individuals. It usually presents as polyarticular disease and can have a gradual or acute onset. In some cases, RA may present with intermittent or migratory joint involvement or even as monoarticular disease.
Approximately 1% of the global population is affected by RA, with women being 2 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition than men. The onset of RA can occur at any age but is most common between 35 and 50 years. It can also manifest during childhood, known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
In addition to joint pain and inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis can affect other organs and lead to various health complications. Distinguishing RA from other types of arthritis, like gout, is essential for appropriate treatment. Gout, for example, is characterized by intense pain and swelling often in the big toe or other joints, caused by uric acid crystals.
For more detailed information about rheumatoid arthritis, visit the Mayo Clinic, CDC, NCBI Bookshelf, UpToDate, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders, Arthritis Foundation, and the Cleveland Clinic.
