StemCell Therapy

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pain and inflammation in joints, typically of the hands and feet. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks its own healthy cells, resulting in inflammation of the membrane lining the joints (synovial membrane) and damage to joint tissue.

Rheumatoid arthritis also affects other organs such as the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes. The annual incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is approximately three cases per 10,000 people worldwide.

What is the main cause of rheumatoid arthritis?

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. However, some of the contributing factors to rheumatoid arthritis are:

What are the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis?

While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, there are times when symptoms worsen (flares) and times when the patient recuperates from the symptoms (remission). Some of the most common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis observed are:

What are the four stages of rheumatoid arthritis?

The American College of Rheumatology classifies rheumatoid arthritis into four stages, based on the disease progression and radiologic findings:

Based on the function of the patient, rheumatoid arthritis can be classified as:

How can be rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed based on its clinical presentation in the joints as well as using the following blood tests:

Radiographic findings are used by the doctor to assess the arthritis progression. The physician may suggest a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or joint aspiration for further evaluation.

What is the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

The goals of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include:

The treatment approach involves treating the disease with medication, education, and lifestyle modifications.

Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are:

Surgical treatment can be required for severe joint damage.

What are the complications of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the following complications:

Rheumatoid arthritis is not curable but with appropriate treatment, the disease can be controlled. Treatments are most effective when initiated early in the disease.

Medically Reviewed on 6/19/2020

References

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331715-overview

See the article here:
What Is the Main Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis? 4 Stages - MedicineNet

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