Definition
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints, mainly in the hands and feet. It results in pain, swelling and may eventually lead to long-term damage to the joints.
Symptoms
How does the disease manifest?
- Persistent joint pain
- Morning stiffness
(often lasting more than an hour) - Swollen joints
- General fatigue
- Loss of mobility (in the affected joints)
Factors
Risk factors
- Genetic predisposition
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Smoking
- Being female
(women are more often affected than men) - Age
(the peak for onset is between 40 and 60 years of age)
Treatments
What treatments for the disease?
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- Corticosteroids
(to reduce inflammation) - Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Targeted biotherapies
- Physiotherapy
(to maintain joint mobility) - Surgery
(in severe cases)