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OverviewIf you're one of 1.5 million people in the United States with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you're familiar with the pain and stiffness in your joints that comes with the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system begins attacking the lining of its joints, causing pain, inflammation, and, eventually, damage to cartilage and bone. Rheumatoid arthritis can also harm the body’s internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and nervous system. The good news is that an early and accurate diagnosis, as well as a personalized treatment plan, can help patients manage symptoms and get back to living a normal life. What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is often gradual, and not every person experiences the same symptoms. Symptoms can also come and go. You may feel fine for days or months and then experience a flare in pain and swelling in the joints. The first symptoms people often notice are stiffness and pain or tenderness in their joints. The joints in wrists, hands, fingers, and feet are more commonly affected early in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. This stiffness is usually worse in the morning but typically gets better throughout the day. Also, it’s usually present on both sides of the body. “People tend to have joint pain symmetrically, in multiple joints—in both hands, both wrists, and both knees, for example,” says Cristina Maria Brunet, MD, a Yale Medicine rheumatologist. "But that isn’t always the case. There are exceptions.” Along with stiffness and pain, people with rheumatoid arthritis sometimes notice warmth, swelling, or redness in their joints. If the disease worsens, it can eventually cause deformities and a loss of function in joints, although these problems are less common now with better and earlier treatment options. Because of the inflammation in their bodies, people with rheumatoid arthritis often also experience related symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever. How is rheumatoid arthritis different from other types of arthritis?People often confuse rheumatoid arthritis with other types of arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Types of inflammatory arthritis include:
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, does not usually cause the degree of inflammation found in rheumatoid arthritis and is a different disease with different treatments. What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?Genetics can predispose some people to rheumatoid arthritis. But researchers also say that an environmental trigger—such as an infection or some other type of physical trauma—may be necessary for someone to actually develop rheumatoid arthritis. However, the science behind this argument is not fully understood, and doctors don’t know what exactly causes rheumatoid arthritis or who is most at risk. Besides genetics, these factors may make a person more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis: Sex: Seventy percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis are women. How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?If a patient has unexplained joint pain and swelling, a doctor may recommend they see a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in inflammatory conditions and are experienced in diagnosing and treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. A rheumatologist will perform a general examination and check the patient’s joints for warmth, swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. X-rays may also be done. “They help us assess joint damage and make decisions about how aggressive we need to be with medical therapy,” says Dr. Brunet. Blood tests can show whether a patient has elevated levels of inflammation in the body. They can also confirm the presence of two antibodies, called rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP). These are often found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis. By considering the patient’s physical symptoms and the results of tests, a rheumatologist may rule out other conditions and make a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. What are the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis?Medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis can be very effective when the disease is caught early and managed properly. “We can hope to put people in remission so they can get back to doing whatever they enjoy without limitations,” says Dr. Brunet. These medications include:
Most medicines for rheumatoid arthritis have side effects and risks associated with them, such as a compromised immune system.
This can make a person more likely to get sick from infections or other illnesses. Before starting any medication, patients should talk to their doctors about these risks and how to stay safe while taking these drugs. Part of a patient’s treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may also include physical or occupational therapy to learn exercises that can help keep joints flexible and muscles strong. Sometimes, if medicine does not work to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms or if the disease is diagnosed too late, surgery may be recommended to repair or replace damaged joints. What makes Yale Medicine’s approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis unique?The physicians at Yale Medicine are world-class experts at identifying and treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases that are often misdiagnosed. “Inflammatory conditions may all present in similar ways, and it’s really important that the correct diagnosis is made so the right type of treatment can be used,” says Dr. Brunet. Our rheumatologists also have extensive experience with rheumatoid arthritis medications. Because these drugs suppress the immune system, they must be prescribed by specialists and carefully explained to patients, she adds. “We try to individualize the approach to each patient,” Dr. Brunet says. “There’s not one way of evaluating and treating RA, so we discuss every step with patients to make sure they are comfortable with our plan.” What disease causes inflamed and painful joints?Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What immune disease causes joint pain?Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your joints. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.
What is immune inflammatory disease?Inflammatory disease is a general term that applies to autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation conditions in which a person's immune system attacks the body's own tissues. Familiar inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis.
What is an inflammation of a joint called?Arthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis.
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