Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints and can impact other body systems, such as the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. It’s an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues.
The early signs and symptoms of RA typically begin around the age of 30, though they can develop later in life, sometimes not fully manifesting until a person is in their 60s. Factors like cigarette smoking can increase the risk of developing RA, with a reported increase in risk of up to 2.4%.
RA usually starts between the ages of 25 and 45 years but can also present in older individuals. For most people, symptoms appear between the ages of 30 and 60. However, RA can affect men and women at different ages. Men are less likely to be diagnosed under age 45, while women may experience symptoms earlier. The median age of onset for both genders is 58. RA can be categorized as young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) and later-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA).
This chronic inflammatory disorder can affect more than just joints. In some people, RA can damage a variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. RA is a type of arthritis where the immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints, affecting both sides of the body.
It’s important to note that RA can occur at any age, even in children and young adults, typically between the ages of 16 and 40. The most commonly affected joints by RA are in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Women are more likely to develop RA than men, and it often occurs in people from ages 30 to 50.
In terms of treatment, rheumatoid arthritis surgery may involve procedures like synovectomy (removing the inflamed joint lining) or tendon repair, as inflammation and joint damage can cause tendons to loosen or rupture.
For more comprehensive information on rheumatoid arthritis, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options, visit sources like Medical News Today, Healthline, Verywell Health, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
