by Dr. Naseem Arshad
July 19, 2024
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the joints that causes pain, swelling and stiffness — especially in the morning, lasting more than half an hour. Fingers and toes are often affected early and more severely, but many joints such as the wrists, knees, shoulders and ankles can also be involved.
A key feature of rheumatoid arthritis is that joints on both sides of the body — right and left — are involved at the same time. Alongside joint pain, patients may also experience:
Rheumatoid arthritis can begin in just one or two joints and then gradually spread, but sometimes it affects many joints severely from the very start. Beyond the joints, it can also affect the eyes, lungs, heart and skin, which is why it is considered a whole-body disease.
The patient's own description of their symptoms is often enough to point strongly towards the diagnosis. Specific blood tests are then used to support it:
However, these tests need careful interpretation. It is possible to have a positive RF without having rheumatoid arthritis, which your rheumatologist will assess. It is also possible to have negative tests but still have the disease — this is known as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
According to guidelines, starting proper treatment within the first six months is important. This has two major benefits:
If you have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, it is just as important to follow your treatment plan closely.
Read more about what rheumatoid arthritis is and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, or see our full guide to rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Faisalabad.
The main symptoms are joint pain, swelling and stiffness — especially morning stiffness lasting more than half an hour. It usually affects both sides of the body, often starting in the fingers and toes, and can be accompanied by fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Diagnosis is based mainly on the pattern of symptoms and a clinical examination, supported by blood tests such as Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies, and sometimes imaging. A rheumatologist interprets these together to confirm the diagnosis.
Yes. Some patients have rheumatoid arthritis despite negative RF and anti-CCP tests — this is called seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. It is just as important to treat, so a rheumatologist's clinical assessment is essential.
Guidelines recommend starting proper treatment within the first six months of symptoms. Early treatment increases the chance of remission and prevents long-term joint damage and deformity.
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Address: Chughtai Medical Center, 571-B Satayana Rd, Faisalabad