Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints of the body. Due to it, body joints become tender and inflamed. Arthritis can be of different types, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being one of them. It is an ongoing autoimmune disease that affects the joints on either side of the body. Under this condition, the immune system of the body, which fights against infections, starts attacking tissues of the body's joints. 

Though the exact cause that triggers the autoimmune disease is still not known, certain symptoms indicate the presence of the disease in an individual. The common ones include inflammation and pain in the toes, feet, ankles, knees, wrists, hands, and fingers. It may also affect some other body parts as well.

Just like other forms of arthritis, RA also doesn’t have any cure. It can only be treated. Some of the common treatment options include changes in the lifestyle of an individual, surgery, medication, nutritional therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Following the diagnosis of RA, the mean life expectancy of individuals is 26.3 years.

Who May Get Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Each year, in the United States alone, rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1.3 million people. This disease also affects a sizeable population in other countries of the world. Further, RA is 2.5 times more common in designated females than in males at birth. 

At What Age Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Individuals?

Generally, individuals are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis between 30 and 60 years of age. However, those who belong to the age group of 16-40 years may also get it. Further, it may also affect children. When it affects children, it is called YORA (young-onset rheumatoid arthritis).

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

The common symptoms of RA include the following:

• Pain
• Extreme tiredness or fatigue
• Fever
• Stiffness and pain on either side of the body
• Stiffness that sets in after sitting at a place for a longer duration or in the morning

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, rheumatoid arthritis life expectancy in individuals (the overall mean life expectancy) is 26.3 years after diagnosis. However, a lot depends on the kind of treatment an individual receives after the diagnosis of the disease. A rheumatologist is a specialist who looks after patients with RA.

Rheumatologists examine a wide range of factors in an individual to diagnose RA. Generally, they begin by orally asking certain questions about the symptoms of the disease experienced by an individual. Thereafter, they suggest imaging tests, blood tests, and other tests based on their understanding.

The primary objective of conducting blood tests is to establish the presence of antibodies (blood proteins) and inflammation related to RA. To establish both these factors, a rheumatologist may suggest you the following tests:

• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) to confirm inflammation based on sedimentation rate
• CRP (C-reactive protein)
• The rheumatoid factor which can be detected in almost 80% of people who have RA
• Tests for detecting proteins and CCP

In addition, a rheumatologist may also suggest some additional imaging tests to examine the condition of the joints of your body while conducting a diagnosis Some such tests may include the following:

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans
• Ultrasounds
• X-rays

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment varies from one individual to the other. It specifically depends on how many criteria an individual meets. Some such criteria include the following:

• Any instance of two major joints (at the minimum) being affected by RA
• Any instance of inflammation in smaller joints
• The presence of CCP antibodies or the rheumatoid factor (RF)
• A higher level of the sedimentation rate of CRP
• The instance of an individual experiencing the symptoms of RA for six weeks or a duration longer than that

Because RA is a chronic condition that may lead to serious damage to the joints if overlooked, it is imperative to treat it at the initial stages of its onset. The maximum window for it is 2 years. Most medical experts call it “the window of opportunity” as treating the disease within this duration can prevent it from aggravating further.

To treat rheumatoid arthritis, a rheumatologist may suggest medications, therapies, and changes to the lifestyle. As the last resort, they may also suggest surgery. The common surgeries for treating RA include surgeries for deformity, hip replacement, and knee replacement.