Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation in affected body parts. This condition primarily targets multiple joints simultaneously, often affecting the hands, wrists, and knees. RA is more than just a joint problem; it’s a chronic inflammatory disorder with the potential to impact various body parts.
Pain, swelling, and deformity are common symptoms, arising from the inflammation and thickening of the synovial membrane lining the joints. This leads to fluid accumulation, joint erosion, and degradation. RA’s progression is complex, with antibodies often present years before symptoms manifest, a phase known as zero-negative RA. As it advances to stage 3, RA becomes severe, reflecting a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis and extra-articular involvement. The interplay of genetic and environmental factors, like tobacco, predominantly involves synovial joints, starting typically in small peripheral joints and usually being symmetric.
RA, a symmetric inflammatory peripheral polyarthritis, remains an enigma in terms of its etiology. It causes joint destruction by eroding cartilage and bone, leading untreated to physical function loss, daily task difficulty, and employment challenges. There is no known cure for this chronic disorder, but recent shifts in treatment strategies, including earlier use of disease-modifying drugs and new medication classes, have significantly improved patient outcomes.
The disease commonly affects the hands, knees, or ankles, usually symmetrically, such as both hands or both knees. Occurring more frequently in women than men, RA typically appears between ages 30 to 50 but can emerge at any age. Besides joint inflammation and pain, RA can lead to complications outside the joints, like chest pain due to lung issues or pleurisy.
With over 1.3 million Americans and about 1% of the global population affected, RA is a prevalent autoimmune disorder without a known specific cause or cure. However, ongoing research continues to shed light on its nature and potential treatments.
CDC
Mayo Clinic
Healthline
NCBI Bookshelf
UpToDate
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Arthritis Foundation
Johns Hopkins Medicine
WebMD
Rheumatoid Arthritis.org
