What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissue in the joints, potentially affecting the heart, lungs, nerves, eyes, and skin. The disease usually presents as polyarticular, affecting multiple joints, with a gradual onset. However, some patients may experience acute, intermittent, or migratory joint involvement, or present with a monoarticular disease affecting a single joint.

The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and stiffness in three or more joints, commonly observed in both hands or feet. Stiffness often persists for more than 30 minutes after waking up. RA is a systemic condition, not only causing joint problems but also leading to increased risks for heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, diminishing the overall quality of life.

The onset of RA is insidious, with signs and symptoms developing slowly over weeks to months, beginning with stiffness and pain upon movement. The disease is complex, involving a mix of genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking, contributing to its pathogenesis.

For more detailed information, refer to the following sources: Mayo Clinic, UpToDate, NCBI Bookshelf, Healthdirect Australia, CDC, and Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.

Arthritis, in general, is characterized by the inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints, with symptoms like pain and stiffness, typically worsening with age. To learn more about the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, diseases associated with RA, juvenile arthritis, pathogenesis, prognosis, risk factors, and treatment, you can visit UpToDate’s Rheumatology section.