Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that goes beyond just affecting your joints. In some individuals, it can damage a wide array of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Being an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis arises when your immune system erroneously targets your own body’s tissues.
This autoimmune and inflammatory disease means that the immune system, mistakenly, attacks healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected areas. RA primarily targets the joints, often attacking multiple joints simultaneously. Commonly affected joints include those in the hands, wrists, and knees.
The disease causes joint inflammation and pain by attacking the lining of the joints, known as the synovium. It often affects the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both hands or both knees. RA is part of a larger group of rheumatic diseases, which also includes osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of arthritis.
Routine healthcare, including annual physical exams and vaccinations, plays a vital role in managing RA. Primary care doctors may diagnose or treat the disease but often refer patients to a rheumatologist, a specialist in arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the population, with women being 2 to 3 times more likely to develop the condition. It can onset at any age but is most common between 35 and 50 years. However, RA can also occur during childhood, as seen in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
As a long-term (chronic) disease, RA’s inflammation can be severe enough to affect the appearance and function of the joints and other body parts. Regular blood tests are often required to monitor the effects of medications used in treatment.
Learn more about RA at Mayo Clinic, CDC, Arthritis Foundation, CDC on Rheumatic Diseases, Johns Hopkins Medicine on Arthritis, and Merck Manuals.
