Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) Essay

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects whole systems of body particularly cardiovascular system, nerves, respiratory system (RACGP, 2009). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown but it is hereditary which assists to have a risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 50%-60% (RACGP, 2009).

Rheumatoid Arthritis or “RA” is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissues. This disease affects the lining of joints causing pain and swelling. Eventually the swelling can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. RA can happen to anyone at any age, but the majority of people who have to endure this disease are women over the age of 40.

Developing this disease made it so that a major shift in my life occurred. When I first heard that the doctor had made a diagnosis of Juvenile Arthritis I didn’t know what to do. I felt like the world around me was coming down on me. I had to learn basic skills all

Rheumatoid factor (RF): Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is present eventually in the blood of most people with rheumatoid arthritis (3). Not all people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for rheumatoid factor, and some people test positive for rheumatoid factor, yet never develop the disease(3). Rheumatoid factor also can be positive in some other diseases; however, a positive RF in a person who has symptoms consistent with those of rheumatoid arthritis can be useful in confirming a diagnosis. Furthermore, high levels of rheumatoid factor are associated with more severe rheumatoid arthritis (3).

Juvenile arthritis is a term used to put all the “autoimmune and inflammatory conditions” that anyone under the age of 16 has (Juvenile Arthritis). With almost 300,000 children being affected with juvenile arthritis, it’s easy to believe they all carry the same struggle and pain (Juvenile Arthritis). However, there are many different types of juvenile arthritis that children battle with. The most common forms of juvenile arthritis are juvenile lupus, Kawasaki disease, and Rheumatoid arthritis (Juvenile Arthritis).

Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA is a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that affects the joints symmetrically, causing a range of systemic effects. What it causes is still not well known; nevertheless, findings of new research points towards a believe that it is triggered by a defective immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause damage to cartilage and bone, usually affecting the wrists, the joints of the hand, including the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers and feet. While this condition can affect any joints, besides, important body organs such as the eyes and the lungs can also be affected by the inflammation that occurs as a result of this chronic condition. Only in America 1.3 million of people are affected by this ailment, and 75 % of them are mainly women. Its onset usually occurs between fourth and sixth decades; however, RA can occur at any age("Diseases And

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

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder of the joints. In JRA the joints become stiff, swollen, and inflamed causing pain and loss of movement. The cause is thought to be genetic and/or related to environmental factors which are still not understood. Because of its origin not being well understood, JRA is also called juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The body has abnormal immune responses wherein it attacks normal cells and tissues causing damage to the joints (McMahon Anne-Marie, 2011).

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), is an autoinflammatory disease that begins before the age of 16. (2) The cause behind JIA is currently unknown. Symptoms of JIA are a fever (a rash usually accompanying the fever as well), enlarged spleen, presence of arthritis, and also always a sign of systemic inflammation

Most of the time when we think about this disease we immediately think about the joint damage but this disease can affect multiple areas within the body. Pericarditis can occur during a severe flare which can interfere with the hearts ability to work well. Also, a decrease in red blood cells can occur which leads to anemia. Thrombocytosis is another complication in which the inflammation leads to increased levels of platelets within the blood. This can cause clotting and lead to strokes. Within the lungs another possible complication is that of pleurisy which causes breathing to be a painful process. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause nodules to form on the lungs and the heart as well which can lead to a variety of complications. Susceptibility to infection is a great concern, not only because of the disease itself but usually the immune suppressing medicines that treat it. This disease also causes many problems within the eyes. Inflammation of the sclera and Sjogren’s Sydrome can occur which can lead to dry, red, irritated and painful eyes. In the skin, nodules and vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) can

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).

There has been multiple treatments discovered for JIA. Some of these include taking a medication, doing therapy, exercising, having an injection, or having surgery. Doctors have also found a variety of types of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. One of them is Systemic JIA, Oligoarthritis, Psoriatic arthritis is another type of JIA, Enthesitis related arthritis. Undifferentiated arthritis, Polyarticular arthritis, Rheumatoid factor plus and Rheumatoid factor negative.

Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.

The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain. However, joint pain may result from other illnesses, and this means that people experiencing joint pain have to consult a medical professional for differential diagnosis. Joint stiffness and swelling are also common in people with the disease. The most common symptom reported is a constant pain that occurs around a given joint. Moreover, other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that can also affect other body organs and cause other symptoms