Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints and may cause inflammation of other tissues in the body. The immune system consists of the cells and proteins in our bodies that fight infections. An autoimmune disease occurs when our immune system doesn’t recognize part of our body and attacks it as if it were an invader such as a bacteria or virus. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets synovial membrane and attacks it, which lubricates and nourishes the joint. When the disease is active, symptoms can include fatigue, loss of energy, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, muscle and joint aches, and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are usually most notable in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Arthritis is common during disease flares, joints frequently become red, swollen, painful, and tender during flares. This occurs because the lining tissue of the joint (synovium) becomes inflamed, resulting in the production of excessive joint fluid (synovial fluid). The synovium also thickens with inflammation (synovitis).Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating and common disease, affecting approximately 1.2 million people of the population. Women are affected three times as often as men, pregnancy may improve the disease, and the disease may flare after a pregnancy. Breastfeeding may also aggravate the disease. Contraceptive use may alter a person's likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The severity and chronicity of rheumatoid arthritis varies from person to person.  Most people who develop rheumatoid arthritis will do so between the ages of 20 and 60.  In general, the earlier the symptoms develop, the more severe the disease will be.