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Arthritis Blog

By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com Guides to Arthritis since 1997

Fast Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Friday December 8, 2006
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis which can lead to joint pain, joint deformity, and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is also classified as an autoimmune disease (immune cells attack the body's own healthy tissues). The joints are primarily affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but there can be systemic effects (i.e. organs) as well. Typically, disease onset for rheumatoid arthritis occurs between 30 and 60 years old.

  • What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
  • What symptoms are associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
  • How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
  • How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?

Approximately 2.1 million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis and about 1-2 percent of the world population are affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Women are more affected than men. About 75 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients are women. Men, women, and even children can develop rheumatoid arthritis. Learn the Fast Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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