We often heard people complaining of joint pains or rheumatic pains. Rheumatic arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease in which our body’s immune system producing the antibodies attacking the joint tissues in our body. To be specific, the antibodies produced are attacking IgG of rheumatoid factor and citrullinated peptide. This causes the inflammation of the joints which are the hallmark of RA.
The incidence is more prevalent in women than men and in people in their 5th and 6th decades of life. This chronic condition also seems to have a genetic predisposition which means the family factor to have rheumatic arthritis is high in certain people with positive family history. It is also postulated that this disease can also be affected by the environment especially with smoking or irritation to the lungs airways.
What are the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
RA is a unique disease because of the typical pattern of the disease presentation as well as how it interacts with other systems in the body. The patients will commonly have symmetrical (both sides of the body) joint pains of the hands, fingers, hip or knees as well with swelling, redness and stiffness especially early in the morning. The presentation can be varied a little in terms of progression and the number of joints involved.
How is it going to be diagnosed?
RA can be diagnosed fairly quick by using the tool such as American College of Rheumatism for diagnosing RA. The criteria are created for the purpose of detecting and diagnosing early RA which if treated early has a profound effect on the quality of life of the patient. The criteria have boxes to tick by the doctor which comprises joint involvements, serological test, acute phase reactant and the duration of the symptom.
What are other presentations of rheumatoid arthritis?
Due to auto-immunity of this disease, RA does not only affect the joints. As mentioned earlier, if early RA is not detected, it can further progress and causing problems to the other systems. RA patients can develop problems associated with the immune system itself like anaemia and vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels).
RA can also cause heart and lungs issue such as pericarditis and fibrosing alveolitis respectively. Other joint problems the patient may complain are like carpal tunnel syndrome and nodules at the joints. RA patients also occasionally will have eye problems, for example, dry eyes and red and itchy eyes.
How will it be treated?
Like many other chronic disease management, RA should be treated according to the established guidelines (that has been proven their clinical efficacy) with lifestyle modification as well. RA patients will be advised to do light exercises, undergo physiotherapy and use of splint if necessary to further improve their quality of life. There are plenty of medications used for treating RA ranging from steroids, Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Medications (DMARDs) and biologic drugs. The choice of drugs will depend on the patient’s suitability and the experience of the rheumatologist.
In summary, RA is chronic and can be a debilitating disease, hence the need to diagnose and treat at a very early stage. Nowadays development in medication has enabled RA patients to live almost a normal life with the disease and with few complications. If you or anyone you know has symptoms of RA, you can ask questions and get answers by DoctorOnCall. Our doctors will help you evaluate the problems with great privacy.
The incidence is more prevalent in women than men and in people in their 5th and 6th decades of life. This chronic tramadol cod next day condition also seems to have a genetic predisposition which means the family factor to have rheumatic arthritis is high in certain people with positive family history. It is also postulated that this disease can also be affected by the environment especially with smoking or irritation to the lungs airways.
