Autoimmune Diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints.

However, it may also cause anemia, eye inflammation, heart attacks, heart failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, pleurisy, vasculitis, shortness of breath, skin ulcers, stomach ulcers, strokes, and neuropathies (numbness and tingling).

Rheumatoid Arthritis MedicineNet.

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Disease Activity, Disability, and Radiographic Progression in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: The ESPOIR Cohort. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with more active and severe disease at baseline and may predict disability and radiographic progression over 1 year in early RA patients. PubMed, J Rheumatol, 2020 Nov 1;47(11):1624-1628. (Also see Vitamin D Deficiency)

Changing hospitalization trends for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis in England. Whilst all-cause emergency admissions rose in the general population, those for SLE fell. PubMed, Lupus, 2019 Jun 4:961203319853357. (Also see Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This article provides a current overview of our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, with an emphasis on early diagnosis and approaches to treatment. PubMed, Prim Care, 2018 Jun;45(2):237-255.

Causes

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is generally diagnosed and treated by rheumatologists, in most countries. ISN.

Media Articles

The Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation throughout the body, and some studies have shown benefits for heart health, brain function and diabetes. Arthritis Foundation.

Personal Stories

Rheumatoid Arthritis Personal Stories. These personal stories are from people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or who have been nearly diagnosed, or misdiagnosed with it; as well as those who have RA in overlap with other autoimmune diseases. ISN. (Also see Difficult Diagnosis)

Prevention

Lifestyle factors associated with incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in US adults: analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database and meta-analysis. Nearly 33% of RA incidence was attributed to smoking, excess BMI and low alcohol drinking in USA. PubMed, BMJ Open, 2021 Jan 26;11(1):e038137.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Overlap

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Overlap is when RA is found with other autoimmune diseases or chronic illness. RA is often found in overlap with other connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, lupus, and polymyositis/dermatomyositis. It can also be found with other diseases such as thyroiditis, fibromyalgia, and sjögren's. ISN.

Support for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Experiences With Telehealth Followup in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Interview Study. Our findings reveal a need for more insight into how telehealth followup could be integrated in routine clinical practice, paying special attention to how reluctant patients may be supported. PubMed, Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2018 Sep;70(9):1366-1372.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although rheumatoid arthritis is often thought of as a disease that affects only the joints, it is actually a systemic disease, which means that it can affect nearly any part of the body. ISN.

Treatments

Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis include medications such as immunosuppressants and biologics, alternative therapies and supplements, and exercise. ISN.

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