Taking a Look at Rheumatoid Arthritis

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).

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

The main cause doctors have found is that the immune system attacks the human body and starts to destroy the bones (Arthritisorg, 2015). Because the body is sensing an attack, heavy swelling occurs. The inflammation, even though it is healthy to help recover and maintain homeostasis, leads to painful swelling. With too much inflammation, the synovial- the lining membrane that covers the joints- hardens, cartilage and ligaments are destroyed, and the structure of the bones loosens (Arthritisorg, 2015). In the bloodstream, researchers have found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher percentage of HLA (controls the immune system); have more STAT4 (regulates the immune system); and have more PTPN22 (develops rheumatoid arthritis) (Arthritisorg, 2015). Still today, doctors are trying to find more answers for this non-stopping

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the joints (1). It usually affects joints asymmetrically, or on both sides of the body

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints, most often in the hands and feet. It results in swelling, stiffness, pain, and sometimes joint, bone, and cartilage destruction. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally, meaning if a joint on one side is affected, the same joint on the opposite side is affected as well. Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to a group of diseases called autoimmune disorders that affects joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the soft tissues lining of the joints. Eventually the cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint deteriorate, causing deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint

As an autoimmune disease, the synovial cells are affected and causes synovial membrane and joint damage because synovial fibroblast and the immune response initiates the release of cytokines, enzymes, prostaglandins that cause synovial tissue to thicken and loss of bone due to an abnormality in the immune response that causes a condition called synovitis (Huether & McCance, 2017). Because the signaling immune pathway is altered in the processes it causes additional inflammation, enzymes migration to the area, and ingrowth of blood vessels that allow more fibroblast to be able to travel to ligaments, tendon, other fibrous joint located throughout the body that contributes to its systemic effect (Huether & McCance, 2017). As a result of this process, inflammation spreads to surrounding ligaments, tendons, and affected joints and people experience joint pain, decrease mobility, and deformity (Huether & McCance,

The traits of this autoimmune situation are recognized to have an effect on the joints via making them swollen, infected, and particularly painful.

Rheumatoid Arthritis known as RA is an autoimmune disease which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. In a healthy individual the immune system protects by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. When this happens the body will create inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of the joints known as the synovium to thicken, which creates swelling and pain around the joints. If the individual is to go a prolong period without treatment for RA it can damage the cartilage and over time the loss of cartilage the joint can then become loose, unstable, painful and most lose their mobility. Joint deformation can occur and the damage to the joint cannot be reversed.

To begin with, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can be spread by genetics, hormones, lifestyle, and environment. Scientists don’t know what exactly causes rheumatoid arthritis, but they do know it’s the result of an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is created when immune cells start to attack the body. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body attacks its own healthy joint tissue called the synovia. The synovia is what makes a clear liquid substance known as synovial fluid. Synovial fluid lubricates healthy joints and gives cartilage and bones the nourishment needed to remain effective and mobile. When rheumatoid arthritis starts antibodies are made and begin to release chemicals that cause inflammation to the synovia, stopping its ability to make its synovial fluid. The less amount of synovial fluid that’s made, the more

With rheumatoid arthritis there are many painful problems as well as symptoms and causes of this genetic disorder. First, the description of the disorder is how painful it can be. The painful swelling can lead to bone erosion, which means that the bone will wear away. Next, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be hard on the body. You could have fatigue (extreme tiredness), a fever, or weight loss. As well, you can have morning stiffness which can last for hours. Lastly, some causes of the disorder are that the immune system attacks the synovium which is the lining of the membrane that surrounds your joints. In other words, what happens is the synovium inflames which destroys the cartilage and bone in the joint. As you can see rheumatoid arthritis has many painful problems, symptoms and causes.

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.

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 (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in the hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, RA affects the lining of the joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. In America, RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. Of these, about 75% are women. The disease most often begins between the fourth and sixth decades of life. However, the RA also can start at any age. In Malaysia, RA affects about 5 in 1000 people. According to Malaysian Statistic on Medicine in 2005, the total drug expenditure in 2005 for the treatment of inflammatory and rheumatic diseases was RM 50.7 million, and form 7.8% of the top 40 prescribed drugs in Malaysia. It was ranked 5th as the highest prescribed group of drugs (MOH, 2004).

Patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis present chronic systemic inflammation, contributing to a variety of symptoms such as pain in joints, muscle cachexia (muscle wasting) and decreased muscular function, and so reducing their quality of life (Ekdahl and Broman. 1992). Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the systemic inflammation of the synovial membrane of one or more joints and an abnormally high presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. (Cooney, Law et al. 2011).