Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis and extra-articular involvement. This autoimmune condition primarily involves synovial joints and is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including tobacco use. RA typically leads to joint destruction through erosion of cartilage and bone, and if left untreated, can result in loss of physical function and difficulty in maintaining employment.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) provides diagnostic guidelines for RA, emphasizing the importance of history, physical examination, and laboratory findings. According to Altman R et al., as published in Arthritis Rheum 29:1039, 1986, the ACR Clinical Classification Criteria for Osteoarthritis of the hand and the updated guidelines for the medical management of Osteoarthritis of the hip (2000) are essential tools for clinicians.
A 2019 update from the American College of Rheumatology, available on PubMed, highlights the importance of regular clinical measures in RA management. Eleven measures fulfilled a minimum standard for regular use in most clinic settings, including the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate or C-Reactive Protein Level, Clinical Disease Activity Index, Simplified Disease Activity Index, and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data.
RA is also associated with persistent symmetric polyarthritis (synovitis), affecting hands and feet, though it can involve any joint lined by a synovial membrane. An estimated 21.2 percent of U.S. adults had diagnosed arthritis from 2019 to 2021, with most cases among adults aged 45 years and older, as reported in an article on Medical Xpress.
Treatment options for RA include doctor-prescribed medications and therapies. Additionally, new research suggests that Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim) might be beneficial for RA patients, as discussed in an article by Healthline.
For comprehensive information on the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, resources like the StatPearls article on the NCBI Bookshelf and the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center offer valuable insights.
