Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease featuring progressive joint damage leading to functional impairment and disability (1). RA is classified as a progressive systemic disease due to the extra-articular manifestations involving the lungs and eyes but beginning and principally affecting the synovial joints (1). RA patients present with a wide array of joint functional impairment with persistent disease activity (1). RA affects approximately 0.8% of the general population with a peak onset between 40-70 years and affects females 3 times more than males (2). Additionally, due to the disabling nature of RA, it imposes a reduced and disabling quality of life whilst also posing a huge economic burden on the individual, the community and society (3).
The NICE guidelines provide a 3-step approach to manage RA: pharmacological, non-pharmacological and lastly, surgical treatment (3). The first line medication recommended by NICE is the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARDs), methotrexate (3). Though methotrexate (MTX) is effective in preventing progressive joint damage, it is ineffective in some patients, and even when effective, the consequent side effects and safety concerns contribute to poor patient adherence (4). More recently, biological-DMARDs have been used in place of the toxic methotrexate-like DMARDs. Biological-DMARDs target inflammation interleukins and chemokines; thereby interfering with the pathological
Rheumatoid Arthritis has been subject of numerous studies and researches in the look for a better understanding of how it effects the individuals diagnosed with it. There is a higher incident of females diagnosed with RA than male as well as a relationship with genetic and environmental factors involved. Around one percent of the world population is affected by RA; therefore, diverse studies have been performed to understand how the lives of the diagnosed patients can be impacted by the disease. For example, how RA affects the mobility, safety and activities of daily living in general as well as the development of interventions to better approach RA. On
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small
Around 70% of arthritis sufferers in the UK have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Women are also more likely to develop RA than men, and commonly affects adults between ages 50 and 60. This condition is characterised by an insidious onset of pain, swelling of joints and morning stiffness. Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the synovial tissue of the joints, supposedly triggered by the presence of autobodies such as rheumatoid factors. The first line treatment for RA is a combination of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). These slow down the progression of RA and treatment typically includes methotrexate in combination with another DMARD (e.g. sulphasalazine). Short term glucocorticoids are also used with DMARDS to manage flares of inflammation. Anti-TNF drugs
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that is systemic in nature but primarily targets and damages the synovial joints. It is characterized by painful, swollen, stiff joints, which manifest primarily in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. RA is more common among women than men and increases in prevalence with age, however it can also occur in young adults and children (Lee & Weinblatt, 2001).
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system protects the body’s health by attacking unknown substances like bacteria and viruses, and mistakenly attacks the body’s joints. This creates inflammation causing the tissue that lines the inside of joints to thicken, which results in swelling and pain in and around the joints. The tissue makes a fluid that lubricates joints and helps them move smoothly. If inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones may become smaller. Joints can become
Today in the United States there is an estimated 1.3 million people living and dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (Arthritis Foundation). One might ask, what exactly is rheumatoid arthritis? Well, rheumatoid arthritis, also commonly known as RA, is a form of inflammatory disease and an autoimmune disease. If the person is a minor, or below the age of six-teen, then the chronic disease can also go by the name of juvenile arthritis. The juvenile arthritis is, “Defined as chronic inflammation of the synovial joints, with unknown etiology, which starts before the age of sixteen and persists for at least six weeks” (Hink et al 1). This disease can affect anyone with a functioning immune system. Out of the 1.3 million people in the United States that have rheumatoid arthritis, 70% of that number is women (RA.com). Once again there are no certain reasons as to who receives this disease whether its children, elders, Caucasians, African Americans, etc. But once they do receive the illness, then it affects them immensely. “The disease is systemic, meaning it can occur throughout the whole body. It’s a chronic disease, so it can’t be cured” (Arthritis Foundation). The pain, stiffness and fatigue can affect the entire body. “RA occurs when your immune system, the system that protects your body from outside harm, mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissue” (RA.com). Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease that is affecting
In addition, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis diseases can be similar that makes the diagnosing process inaccurate. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, “doctors use a variety of tools to diagnose the disease and to rule out other conditions.” [3] For example, doctors usually ask the patients about their family's medical history and observe the patients' ability to do daily living activities. After diagnosing the disease, doctors use several methods to treat the disease at different times depending on the patient’s condition. However, all doctors want the same goal, which is to relieve pain and stop the damage in the joints. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis take medications. For example, using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation. Furthermore, according to the Better Health Channel, “rest can help [patients] to manage fatigue, and is particularly important when [their] joints are swollen.” [4] Taking regular rest periods during activation will also reduce the pain and the
Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is abbreviated as (RA), by definition, is an inflammatory immune-mediated defect. In developed countries, its prevalence is about 0.5 to 1%. It is a serious disease whose effects can at times lead to permanent disability. Some of the effects include bone erosion, articular destruction and chronic synovial inflammation, which results in functional decline and disability. The Introduction of effective and efficient intervention has been put in place to reduce joint damage and functional impairment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects mostly joints, but can also spread to or affect vital organs such as the eyes, lungs, heart, and others. The disease is treatable to a degree, and if caught in early stages it can be easy to reduce inflammation and swelling in the afflicted areas. After reading this paper one should expect to better understand the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, causes of the disease, possible treatments, and ways to help prevent it. Nearly one and a half million (1,500,000) people in the United States are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, and three times as many women have the disease as men.
Although, symptoms and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary from person to person. Patient prognosis will depend on many factors, such as whether patients test positive or negative for the protein called rheumatoid factor (RF). Other factors that affect prognosis include patient’s age at time of diagnosis, overall health, and whether or not a person develop complications. Therefore, making the right lifestyle choices and adhering to the treatment plan can make a traumatic differences. (Johns Hopkin
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune etiology that affects the patient in ways like, progressive disability, systemic complications, socioeconomic costs, and premature death. No cause, to date, has been found, and the prognosis is guarded, (McInnes & Schett, 2011). Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects the body in the following ways: swelling and damage of the joints (synovitis); bone destruction; formation of autoantibodies, like rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated peptide (ACPA); persistent functional decline; vasculitis; fatigue; increased disability; dysphasia; stiffness and pain, mostly in the hands and wrist; functional limitations and physical disabilities; systemic manifestations that may include renal, eye , and vascular issues; cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarctions; ultimately leading to an increased
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the mobile joints. It appears to be an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s own immune system produces antibodies, which attack its tissues. This results in inflammation and pain in varying degrees. It should not be confused with Osteoarthritis, which is caused by the ‘wear and tear’ of joints (Lahita, 2001).
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily attacks all synovial joints. RA is the second most common form of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common (Clements, 2011). It can occur at any age, however it generally affects those between the age of 30 and 50 (Marieb and Hoehn, 2013). If left untreated, active rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint damage, frailty, a decrease in quality of life, cardiovascular disorders along with other dire consequences (Scott, Wolfe, & Huizinga, 2010).
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been a popular disease to study because it can affect any one person regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity. There are several causes of this disease and even still new causes are being discovered every day as scientists are seeking new routes of treatment. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects specific parts of the body such as the synovial membrane, particular types of cells, the skeletal system, and the cartilage located throughout the body. There are treatments that look to prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis in the early stages. Future research holds new and improved possibilities for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is defined as a common, chronic, and systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease (Curtis, Gaggo, Saag, 2006, 2451.) While there are several different kinds of arthritis, one that can be debilitating is rheumatoid arthritis. It typically occurs around the fourth or fifth decade of life and has a tendency to affect women more often than men. Living with this condition can have a significant impact on the patient 's quality of life. Day to day activities can become a hindrance living with RA. Furthermore, patients affected can display physical deformities which cause additional health and mobility issues. According to the American College of Rheumatology, about 1.3 million Americans currently have RA (ACR, 2015.)