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Arthritis health centre

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints, including the hands, feet and wrists.

As well as the joints, rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes called RA, can affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood or nerves.

More women are affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men, with the condition being most common between 40 and 70. Around 580,000 people in England and Wales have rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Fatigue
  • Joint deformity

Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years. In others, rheumatoid arthritis may progress rapidly, while other people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then enter a period of remission.

What causes rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs of the body. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Other theories suggest that smoking may lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.


How does rheumatoid arthritis affect the body?



How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?


  • the specific location and symmetry of painful joints, especially the hand joints.
  • the presence of joint stiffness in the morning.
  • presence of bumps and nodules under the skin ( rheumatoid nodules).
  • results of x-ray tests that suggest rheumatoid arthritis.
  • positive results of a blood test called the rheumatoid factor.

WebMD Medical Reference

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