Rheumatoid

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. The disease may also affect other parts of the body. This may result in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the lungs, and inflammation around the heart. Fever and low energy may also be present. Often, symptoms come on gradually over weeks to months.

Causes

While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A number of genes increase the risk slightly. Smoking during pregnancy and periodontal disease are also risk factors.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made mostly on the basis of symptoms. X-rays and laboratory testing may support a diagnosis or exclude other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for the disease, but treatments can improve symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Medications used include NSAIDs, DMARDs, biological agents, and steroids.

Epidemiology

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 24.5 million people as of 2015. This is between 0.5 and 1% of adults in the developed world with 5 to 50 per 100,000 people newly developing the condition each year. Onset is most frequent during middle age and women are affected 2.5 times as frequently as men.

See also

• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disease
• Inflammation

Rheumatoid Resources
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