Rheumatoid Arthritis - Fast Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory type of arthritis. 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.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Explained With Pictures

Researchers have worked for years to find the cause of the abnormal autoimmune response associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There is no single cause which has been found. Common theories point to a genetic predisposition and a triggering event.

The primary symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include:

• joint pain
• joint swelling or effusion
• joint stiffness
• redness and/or warmth near the joint
• restricted range of motion

Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, involvement of the small bones of the hands and feet, extreme fatigue, rheumatoid nodules, and symmetrical joint involvement (i.e. both knees not one knee) are all characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no single laboratory test or x-ray which can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. A combination of test results, a clinical examination, and patient medical history together can help determine a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Laboratory tests which are commonly ordered to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis include:

• rheumatoid factor
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• C-reactive protein
• anti-CCP test

X-rays and MRIs are also ordered early on to help with the diagnostic process, and throughout the course of the disease to check on effectiveness of treatment.

Arthritis medications are the primary course of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Each individual patient is evaluated by their rheumatologist and a treatment plan is agreed upon. Along with medication, some forms of complementary treatment or local injections may help relieve pain.

Medications used for rheumatoid arthritis may include:

• Biologics (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, Rituxan, Orencia)
• DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs such as methotrexate)
• Corticosteroids (such as prednisone, hydrocortisone)
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Celebrex and naproxen)
• Analgesics (painkillers)

Approximately 1.3 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. Typically, disease onset for rheumatoid arthritis occurs between 30 and 60 years old.

About 20 percent of people who have rheumatoid arthritis test negative for the rheumatoid factor. Those patients are classified as "sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis". It is generally thought the seronegative patients have a less severe case of rheumatoid arthritis and less disability, but that is not always the case.

Rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with a higher risk of mortality, higher risk of heart disease, and also a higher risk of lymphoma than the general population.

Another point of interest is that smoking has been identified as a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

_Sources:

_{Rheumatoid Arthritis. American College of Rheumatology. 8 Dec 2006.
http://www.rheumatology.org/}

_{Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. 8 Dec 2006.
http://www.arthritis.org/}