Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoimmune Disease

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(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 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 hand joints. RA is

It does not take long for the effects of inflammation to arise in an individual with RA. They will likely experience symptoms of heat, redness, swelling and pain in their joints due to the rapid increase in the number of immune cells, which causes thickening of the synovial lining (Lee & Weinblatt, 2001; NIAMS, 2014). Then, granulation tissue called pannus will begin to develop in the synovial joint which will prevent nutrients from accessing the site, leading to disintegration of bone cartilage (Lee & Weinblatt, 2001; Madsen, 2011). In

When the point of two or more bones comes together, it is called a joint. We are able to make a movement because the present of joints which are designed to allow movement and to assimilate shock from the movement such as running or walking. Furthermore, cartilage is an elastic and though tissue that covered the ends of the bones. The capsule act as protection centre which joints is surrounded by it. A type of tissue called synovium produces synovial fluid lined the joint capsule (Magro, C., M., and Crowson, A., N., 2003). The fluid is clear in substances that help the cartilage and bones inside the joint capsule easily lubricated and nourished. The disease process leading to rheumatoid arthritis begins here. The protective sac consists of lubricating liquid known as synovial fluid. Other than to cushioning joints, cartilage is a slippery tissue located at the ends of the bones also get nutrients and oxygen which is supplied by the fluids. Cartilage also is the structural protein in the body, which is composed primarily of collagen. The functions of this cartilage is form a mesh to give protection and flexibility to the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, continuous inflammation of the synovium is occurred caused by an abnormal immune system response that secrete destructive molecules (Paleolog, 2002). As a result, collagen dramatically destroyed thus make the joint space

Like with any disease, signs and symptoms can be experienced differently based on the individual. Rheumatoid Arthritis has a few that are common with the majority of people; joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness are inevitable. As the disease grows more severe, deformity and loss of the joints range of motion can occur.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the musculoskeletal system. This means that certain cells of the immune system do not work properly and start attacking healthy tissues — the joints in RA. The cause of RA is not known. When inflammation occurs in the joint, immune cells release chemicals which attack the cartilage and bone, causing the swelling that leads to pain. This type of disease can cause many difficulties in the body itself. Such as pain, stiffness, swelling in joints, limited motion, loss of energy and appetite, low fevers, dry eyes and mouth, firm lumps at extremities and body discomforts. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the small joints in the body like hands and feet. In rare cases, rheumatoid arthritis

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.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and is a chronic type of arthritis that occurs in the joints. RA is autoimmune disease where the immune system is not working properly and in the case of RA involves one’s immune cells attacking healthy joint tissue. Symptoms of this condition include joint pain, joint swelling, stiffening of the joints after long periods of inactivity and/or sitting, rheumatoid nodules, flare ups and fatigue. If someone is diagnosed with RA they will have to live with the condition for the rest of their life and instead of looking for a “cure” should find ways to manage their condition so they can live more comfortably. Fortunately there are many options of treatment to choose from for RA patients.

RA is classified as a chronic, autoimmune rheumatic condition. It is caused by the immune system attacking the tissue in joints for unknown reasons, causing inflammation and swelling. The joint is a part of the body where two bones and bound by connective tissue. The ends of the bones are each surrounded by a capsule called synovium. The synovium creates a clear, lubrication substance called synovial fluid. RA is a condition that happens when the white blood cells in the immune system attack the synovium, causing swelling and pain where the joint is bound. Over

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious forms of arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints of the body. In particular, the synovial fluid is often attacked and damaged, which in turn damages its

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic-autoimmune disease where antibodies attack the joints. This disease currently affects 1.5 million peoples in the United States and is the leading cause of pain and disability. The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is still unknown, but hormones and environmental factors may play a role. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a progressive disease where there an inflammatory response and degrading of articular cartilage. These changes to the joints are irreversible and is more commonly seen in women then men. Rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly found in the hands, wrists, knees, and ankles. Not only can rheumatoid arthritis affect the joints, it can also

Rheumatoid Arthritis is often referred to as RA. It is the most common inflammatory joint disease. It causes pain,swelling,and stiffiness in the joints. It can affect everybody no matter the gender or age. It is treatable but there is no cure for it.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease of the joints. (Kobayashi, Momohara, Kamatani, & Okamoto, 2008, p. 4456) The term ‘chronic' refers to a disease being long term, and the term ‘inflammatory' means a sudden response to tissue in the body being injured.

In addition to the discussion I would like to briefly explain the pathophysiology of RA. The interaction of genetic risk factors, environment and the immune systems are the main pathogens in RA. Regardless of the initial factors, RA progresses, when an amino acid required for protein synthesis is converted from arginine to citrulline (called citrullination), which alters the structure and function of the proteins. The body's immune system does not recognise these citrullinated proteins as self, and so begins to attack the immune system and occurs persistent inflammation of the synovium and bone destruction. Ongoing damage in the joint causes persistent inflammation and generates large amounts of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Circulation of high levels of these pro-inflammatory mediators causes the synovial joint inflammation (Casey 2015).