Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population. While it is two to three times more common in women than in men, men tend to be more severely affected by the condition. It usually occurs in middle age, however, young children and the elderly may also develop rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Joint pain and swelling
Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
Fatigue
Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years while for others, the progression is more rapid. It is possible to have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then enter a period of remission.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Other theories suggest that smoking may lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Research hasn’t completely determined exactly what role genetics plays in rheumatoid arthritis. However, some people do seem to have a genetic or inherited factor that increases their chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a combination of factors, including:
The specific location and symmetry of painful joints, especially the hand joints
The presence of joint stiffness in the morning
Presence of bumps and nodules under the skin (rheumatoid nodules)
Results of X-ray tests that suggest rheumatoid arthritis
Positive results of a blood test called the rheumatoid factor
(Other diseases may cause the rheumatoid-factor antibody to be present, so diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis cannot be determined by a blood test alone.)
A newer, more specific blood test for rheumatoid arthritis is the cylic citrulline antibody test, also called anti-CCP. When positive, it is highly suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of anti-CCP antibodies implies a tendency toward a more aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis.
People with rheumatoid arthritis may have a mild anemia. Blood tests may also reveal an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which are markers of inflammation.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive in an antinuclear antibody test (ANA). Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, this test determines if it overlaps another autoimmune condition.
How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?
There are many different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Treatments include medications, rest and exercise and surgery to correct damage to the joint. The type of treatment will depend on several factors including the person’s age, overall health, medical history and severity of the arthritis. Once inflammation is decreased, guided exercise programs are necessary to maintain flexibility of the joints and to strengthen the muscles that surround the joints. Range-of-motion exercises should be done regularly to maintain joint mobility.
When Is Surgery Necessary for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
When joint damage from the rheumatoid arthritis has become severe or pain is not controlled with drugs, surgery may be an option to help restore function to a damaged joint.
Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Cured?
Although there is not yet a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early, aggressive treatment has been shown to help prevent disability.
