About your disease
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that generally affects the small joints in your hands and feet.
RA affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.
In RA, your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues, mainly the lining of your joints.
RA is much more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60.
In RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints.
RA myths
Fact: In “regular” arthritis (generally considered to be the commonly occurring osteoarthritis) the bone ends rub together because the cartilage (the elastic material that covers the ends of bones) begins to wear away; whereas in RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body and causes inflammation around the joint.
Fact: RA generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Young people can also get RA and some elderly people never get RA at all.
Fact: Physical activity helps protect joints by strengthening the muscles around them. Strong muscles and tissues help support joints that have been weakened and damaged. A good exercise program can help reduce pain and fatigue and improve mobility and overall fitness.
RA and other types of arthritis
Many people believe osteoarthritis is the only form of arthritis.
Arthritis ('arth' meaning joint, 'itis' meaning inflammation) includes more than 100 different conditions.
Arthritis can range from the relatively mild 'tennis elbow' to severe RA. Since osteoarthritis is so common (affecting 1 in 10 Canadians), many people believe it is the only form of arthritis.
Early and general symptoms of RA
EARLY RA MAY INVOLVE:
- Swelling of the wrists, knuckles, or small joints of the fingers or toes, including the ball of the foot
- Pain and stiffness in the morning, generally lasting more than 30–60 minutes
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Low-grade fever
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF RA:
RA symptoms often spread to the knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.
- Tender, warm, and swollen joints
- Morning stiffness for hours
- Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on the arms (rheumatoid nodules)
- Tiredness, fever, and weight loss
In early RA, swelling is most likely to occur in the wrists, knuckles, or small joints of the fingers or toes, including the ball of the foot.
Diagnosis
RA is hard to diagnose in its early stages because the early signs are similar to the signs of other diseases.
PHYSICAL EXAM
Your doctor will check your:
- Joints for swelling, redness, and warmth
- Reflexes and muscle strength
BLOOD TESTS MAY INCLUDE:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or sed rate) which indicates that inflammation is occurring in the body
- C-reactive protein (CRP) which also indicates that inflammation is occurring in the body
- Rheumatoid factor
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
X-RAYS OR OTHER IMAGING TECHNIQUES
Your doctor may recommend X-rays or other imaging techniques to help follow the progression of RA in your joints over time.
ESR and CRP are blood tests that indicate the presence of inflammation.
Other health problems that may occur with RA
RA increases your risk of developing:
Osteoporosis:
- RA and medications used for RA can increase your risk of osteoporosis – a condition that weakens your bones and makes them more prone to fracture.
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
- If RA affects your wrists, the inflammation can cause nerve problems in your hand and fingers.
Heart problems:
- RA can increase your risk of hardened and blocked arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that encloses your heart.
Lung disease:
- People with RA have an increased risk of inflammation and scarring of the lung tissues, which can lead to progressive shortness of breath.