Rheumatoid Arthritis is a autoimmune disorder caused by dysregulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity results in the production of rheumatoid factor antibodies. This autoimmune response triggers the body’s immune system to attack its healthy tissues. Central BioHub offers thousands of Rheumatoid arthritis biospecimens collected from Rheumatoid arthritis patients for different research applications. To learn more, visit our website.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.
Alternative NamesRA; Arthritis - rheumatoid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of RA is unknown. It is considered an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system normally fights off foreign substances, like viruses. But in an autoimmune disease, the immune system confuses healthy tissue for foreign substances. As a result, the body attacks itself.
RA can occur at any age. Women are affected more often than men.
RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected. The course and the severity of the illness can vary considerably. Infection, genes, and hormones may contribute to the disease.
SymptomsThe disease often begins slowly, with symptoms that are seen in many other illnesses:
Eventually, joint pain appears.
Other symptoms include:
Joint destruction may occur within 1-2 years after the disease appears.
Signs and testsA specific blood test is available for diagnosing RA and distinguishing it from other types of arthritis. It is called the anti-CCP antibody test. Other tests that may be done include:
Regular blood or urine tests should be done to determine how well medications are working and whether drugs are causing any side effects.
TreatmentRA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly surgery. Early, aggressive treatment for RA can delay joint destruction.
MEDICATIONS
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs are the current standard of care for RA, in addition to rest, strengthening exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Anti-inflammatory medications: These include aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
Antimalarial medications: This group of medicines includes hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and is usually used along with methotrexate. It may be weeks or months before you see any benefit from these medications.
Corticosteroids: These medications work very well to reduce joint swelling and inflammation. Because of long-term side effects, corticosteroids should be taken only for a short time and in low doses when possible.
BIOLOGIC AGENTS:
Biologic drugs are designed to affect parts of the immune system that play a role in the disease process of rheumatoid arthritis.
They may be given when other medicines for rheumatoid arthritis have not worked. At times, your doctor will start biologic drugs sooner, along with other rheumatoid arthritis drugs.
Most of them are given either under the skin (subcutaneously) or into a vein (intravenously). There are different types of biologic agents:
Biologic agents can be very helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, people taking these drugs must be watched very closely because of serious risk factors:
SURGERY
Occasionally, surgery is needed to correct severely affected joints. Surgeries can relieve joint pain and deformities.
The first surgical treatment may be a synovectomy, which is the removal of the joint lining (synovium).
At some point, total joint replacement is needed. In extreme cases, total knee, hip replacement, ankle replacement, shoulder replacement, and others may be done. These surgeries can mean the difference between being totally dependent on others and having an independent life at home.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Range-of-motion exercises and exercise programs prescribed by a physical therapist can delay the loss of joint function.
Joint protection techniques, heat and cold treatments, and splints or orthotic devices to support and align joints may be very helpful.
Sometimes therapists will use special machines to apply deep heat or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
Occupational therapists can create splints for the hand and wrist, and teach how to best protect and use joints when they are affected by arthritis. They also show people how to better cope with day-to-day tasks at work and at home, despite limitations caused by RA.
Frequent rest periods between activities, as well as 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, are recommended.
Support GroupsFor additional information and resources, see arthritis support group.
Expectations (prognosis)The course of rheumatoid arthritis differs from person to person. For some patients, the disease becomes less aggressive over time and symptoms may improve.
Other people develop a more severe form of the disease.
People with rheumatoid factor, the anti-CCP antibody, or subcutaneous nodules seem to have a more severe form of the disease. People who develop RA at younger ages also seem to get worse more quickly.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has improved. Many people with RA work full-time. However, after many years, about 10% of those with RA are severely disabled, and unable to do simple daily living tasks such as washing, dressing, and eating.
ComplicationsRheumatoid arthritis is not only a disease of joint destruction. It can involve almost all organs.
Problems that may occur include:
The treatments for RA can also cause serious side effects. If you experience any side effects, immediately tell your health care provider.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
PreventionRheumatoid arthritis has no known prevention. However, it is often possible to prevent further damage to the joints with proper early treatment.
ReferencesYazici Y. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: we are getting there. Lancet. 2009;374:178-180. Epub 2009 Jun 26.
Deighton C, O'Mahony R, Tosh J, Turner C, Rudolf M; Guideline Development Group. Management of rheumatoid arthritis: summary of NICE guidelines. BMJ. 2009;338:b702. doi: 10.1136/bmj/b702.
Harris ED Jr, Firestein GS. Clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 66.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.
Alternative NamesRA; Arthritis - rheumatoid
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of RA is unknown. It is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
RA can occur at any age, but is more common in middle age. Women get RA more often than men.
Infection, genes, and hormone changes may be linked to the disease.
SymptomsRA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected.
The disease often begins slowly, usually with only minor joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
Joint symptoms may include:
Other symptoms include:
There is no test that can determine for sure whether you have RA. Most patients with RA will have some abnormal test results, although for some patients, all tests will be normal.
Two lab tests that often help in the diagnosis are:
Other tests that may be done include:
RA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly surgery. Early, aggressive treatment for RA can delay joint destruction.
MEDICATIONS
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs are the first drugs usually tried in patients with RA. They are prescribed in addition to rest, strengthening exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Anti-inflammatory medications: These include aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naprosen.
Antimalarial medications: This group of medicines includes hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and is usually used along with methotrexate. It may be weeks or months before you see any benefit from these medications.
Corticosteroids: These medications work very well to reduce joint swelling and inflammation. Because of long-term side effects, corticosteroids should be taken only for a short time and in low doses when possible.
BIOLOGIC AGENTS:
Biologic drugs are designed to affect parts of the immune system that play a role in the disease process of rheumatoid arthritis.
They may be given when other medicines for rheumatoid arthritis have not worked. At times, your doctor will start biologic drugs sooner, along with other rheumatoid arthritis drugs.
Most of them are given either under the skin (subcutaneously) or into a vein (intravenously). There are different types of biologic agents:
Biologic agents can be very helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, people taking these drugs must be watched very closely because of serious risk factors:
SURGERY
Occasionally, surgery is needed to correct severely damaged joints. Surgery may include:
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Range-of-motion exercises and exercise programs prescribed by a physical therapist can delay the loss of joint function and help keep muscles strong.
Sometimes therapists will use special machines to apply deep heat or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint movement.
Joint protection techniques, heat and cold treatments, and splints or orthotic devices to support and align joints may be very helpful.
Frequent rest periods between activities, as well as 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night, are recommended.
NUTRITION
Some people with RA may have intolerance or Allergies to certain foods. A balanced nutritious diet is recommended. It may be helpful to eating foods rich in fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids).
Support GroupsExpectations (prognosis)How well a person does depend on the severity of symptoms.
People with rheumatoid factor, the anti-CCP antibody, or subcutaneous nodules seem to have a more severe form of the disease. People who develop RA at younger ages also seem to get worse more quickly.
Without proper treatment, permanent joint damage may occur. However, early treatment with many of the newer medicines have decreased joint pain and damage.
ComplicationsRheumatoid arthritis can affect nearly every part of the body. Complications may include:
The treatments for RA can also cause serious side effects. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of treatment and what to do if they occur.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
PreventionThere is no known prevention. Proper early treatment can help prevent further joint damage.
ReferencesHuizinga TW, Pincus T. In the clinic. Rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Jul 6;153(1).
Scott DL, Wolfe F, Huizinga TW. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2010 Sep 25;376(9746):1094-108.
Harris ED Jr, Firestein GS. Clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 66.
McBeth J, Prescott G, Scotland G, Lovell K, Keeley P, Hannaford P, et al. Cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, or both for treating chronic widespread pain.Arch Intern Med. 2011 Nov 14.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/02/2012
Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
No, Rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious.
Rheumatoid arthritis is not a hereditary condition. While it is not passed down parents, certain genes that make you more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis are.
No, Milwaukee shoulder is not a type of rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis comes in over a hundred different forms. However when referring to rheumatoid arthritis a blood test is done the checks for rheumatoid factor (RF). In about 70to 80% of cases rheumatoid arthritis will be accompanied by a positive RF. However in the rest of the cases where all indicators point to Rheumatoid arthritis and where no RF is found it is referred to a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis in the toes Forefoot problems such as hammer toes, claw toes, mallet toes, and bunions often develop as a result of arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis.
There are certain foods that can help you control your rheumatoid arthritis and the symptoms that go along with it. www.webmd.com/���rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/���can-your-diet-help-relieve-rheumatoid-arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis results from the inflammation of the synovial membranes.
Yes you can, This is called Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis and even baby's can have serious problems with it.
No Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in its own right and is not a reaction to TB.
You may have RA even though you don't have rheumatoid factor. In this case it is referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It seems that there is no cure for Rheumatoid arthritis. But you can use rheumatoid arthritis diet to keep the rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms under control.