Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes swollen and inflamed joints. In people with RA, the immune system attacks the lining of your joints, leading to pain and potential damage. Inflammatory rheumatism refers to various rheumatic disorders, including different forms of arthritis that cause painful, swollen joints and can also affect bones, cartilage, and other body parts.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition damages various body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Being an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s tissues.
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, also known as sed rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP) level, indicating the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Imaging tests are also used in the diagnosis.
Inflammatory arthritis involves inflammation due to the immune system attacking the connective tissues in the joints. The most common forms are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis.
Inflammation signs include swelling, redness, and warmth in a joint or affected area. Rheumatology is the medical field that studies these conditions. If your regular doctor suspects you have a rheumatic disease, they may refer you to a rheumatologist for further evaluation.
For more information, visit Healthline, WebMD, Mayo Clinic on RA Symptoms and Causes, Mayo Clinic on RA Diagnosis and Treatment, or Medical News Today.
