What is Rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints. In this condition, the joints become painful, swollen, and stiff in the morning. Usually, joints on both the right and left sides are involved, and small joints such as those of the fingers and toes are affected early.

How rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from the most common arthritis, osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the joints due to wear and tear, or changes that occur naturally with increasing age. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease. Inflammation in the synovial membrane that lines the joints causes them to deteriorate slowly — and this inflammation is what doctors look for during an examination.

Who is affected?

Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men. It usually begins between the ages of 30 and 60 years, but it can also occur in people younger than 30 or older than 60.

What causes rheumatoid arthritis?

Research has not conclusively determined why rheumatoid arthritis occurs, but several factors are involved:

• Genetics — if someone in your family has rheumatoid arthritis, your chances of developing it are slightly higher.
• Environmental triggers — an infection, virus or bacteria can activate these genes and set off the disease.
• Smoking — smokers have a higher incidence of rheumatoid arthritis than non-smokers, and it tends to be more aggressive.
• Weight — people who are overweight are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Why early diagnosis matters

Because rheumatoid arthritis slowly damages the joints, recognising it early and starting treatment quickly makes a major difference to long-term outcomes. If you have joint pain and swelling with morning stiffness, it is worth seeing a rheumatologist.

To learn more, read about the symptoms and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, or see our overview of rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Faisalabad.