What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Top
Information and Surveillance
Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Top
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, auto-immune disorder of unknown etiology in which various joints of the body become inflamed, leading to swelling, fatigue, stiffness and sometimes loss of function. These symptoms are the result of the body' s immune system attacking the cells located inside the joint capsule. Normal white blood cells attack bacteria and viruses that invade the body, causing an inflammatory response and destroying the antigen. However, the white blood cells of individuals with RA travel to the area in between the joints, called the synovium, causing aberrant inflammation and abnormal proliferation of the synovial cells. As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, these abnormal synovial cells begin to invade and destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint causing weakness around the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support and stabilize the joint.
What are the
symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Top
Symptoms include inflammation of joints, swelling, difficulty moving and pain. Other symptoms include:
What causes Rheumatoid
Arthritis? Top
The actual cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not yet known. However, it is known that RA is an autoimmune disease. The body's natural immune system does not operate as it should, resulting in the immune system attacking healthy joint tissue and causing inflammation and subsequent joint damage.
Researchers suspect that agent-like viruses may trigger RA in some people who have an inherited tendency for the disease. Many people with RA have a certain genetic marker called HLA-DR4. Researchers know that there are other genes that influence the development of RA. In addition, new research has shown that environmental factors, such as smoking may also play a role in the development of RA.
What are the
effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Top
Early in the disease, people may notice general fatigue, soreness, stiffness and aching. Pain and swelling may occur in the same joints on both sides of the body and will usually start in the hands or feet. RA affects the wrist and many of the hand joints, but usually not the joints that are closest to the fingernails (except the thumb). RA also can affect elbows, shoulders, neck, knees, hips and ankles. It tends to persist over prolonged periods of time, and over time, inflamed joints may become damaged. Other features include lumps, called rheumatoid nodules, under the skin in areas that receive pressure, such as the back of the elbows.
How is
Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed? Top
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a combination of factors, including:
Many, but not all, people with rheumatoid arthritis have the rheumatoid-factor antibody in their blood. The rheumatoid factor may be present in people who do not have rheumatoid arthritis. Other diseases can also cause the rheumatoid factor to be produced in the blood.
That is why the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a combination of several factors and NOT just the presence of the rheumatoid factor in the blood.
What
treatment options are currently available? Top
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis focuses on reducing swelling, relieving pain and stiffness, reducing inflammation and maintaining normal joint function. In patients with RA, the early use of disease-modifying drugs may allow control of the disease. There are two types of medications used:
In addition, treatment most often involves some combination of exercise, rest, joint protection, and physical and occupational therapy. Surgery is available for joints that are damaged and painful. A balance of rest and exercise can help conserve energy and maintain range of motion and use of the joints.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Surveillance Program
School of Public Health
Epidemiology 414
Email: bpezeshk@yahoo.com
Disclaimer : This website was designed as part of course on web
design. Please do not use this web site as a reporting tool.