The disease mainly affects the joints in a symmetrical way, but being systemic it can involve many organs of the body, for example the heart, lung and kidneys.
Symptoms
Symptoms commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis affect the joint sites affected by the disease and include swelling, sensation of heat, pain, stiffness especially in the morning and limitation of movements. The extra-articular manifestations which we will discuss later in the article are also important.
Epidemiology
Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more frequent in women than in men and, in general, occurs between the ages of 40 and 60; however, it can start earlier or later.
It affects about 1% of the population and is less common than arthrosis, a disease typical of aging that causes progressive wear of the articular cartilages.
Treatment
Today there are many drugs that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Through an appropriate treatment, aimed at reducing inflammation and consequently pain, it is still possible to live with the disease and maintain a good quality of life.
Considering its complexity, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis requires the collaboration of several professionals, among which the rheumatologist, a doctor specialized in the treatment of people affected by this disease, stands out.
they seem to play an important role in the onset and maintenance of the disease.
Smoking is also a predisposing condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis develops because, in a genetically predisposed subject, an environmental triggering event activates an auto-immune response; there is thus an abnormal activation of the immune system, which affects the joints causing chronic inflammation and consequent joint damage.
Among the possible environmental triggers include some viral infections (Human Herpes Virus 6 and Epstein-Barr Virus), stress, tobacco smoke and poor oral hygiene (periodontitis with proliferation of Porphyromonas gingivalis). It is unclear whether low levels of Vitamin D represent a possible risk factor or a simple consequence of the disease.
Insights
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are varied and can include pain, swelling and joint stiffness: these symptoms are particularly present in the morning or in any case after a rest period; it is also noted easy fatigue, asthenia and general malaise.
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes be difficult, especially in the early stages, as there are no highly specific tests whose presence allows to recognize the disease. There are classification criteria (ACR2010) that identify some symptoms and biohumoral tests whose presence allows to identify patients affected by this pathology.
At its onset, rheumatoid arthritis tends to predominantly affect the small joints, such as those in the wrists, hands, feet and ankles, and then spread over time to the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and jaw.
The disease, being systemic, can affect body regions outside the joints and involve, for example, the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys and eyes.
The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can vary in intensity and duration and generally have a relapsing cyclic course. Periods of exacerbation follow one another of relative remission, during which swelling, pain and various ailments tend to diminish or disappear. When inflammation is active, flu-like symptoms usually arise, accompanied by a sense of general malaise, loss of appetite and consequent weight loss.
The symptomatology attributable to rheumatoid arthritis is quite extensive and there is no lack of atypical pictures.
Other articles on Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatment
- Arthritis - Medicines for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Diet and Rheumatoid Arthritis
