What is Rheumatoid   Arthritis?

Read about Rheumatoid Arthritis  Disease presented in simple easy to understand language

Initially, the disease usually involves a couple of joints but slowly progresses into many other joints. It affects joints in a symmetrical way, i.e., on both sides of the body. RA varies from person to person. It may affect people for one or two years without causing any further damage. Some people may be affected with severe form of disease leading to serious joint damage. The joints most commonly affected include the knuckle joints and middle joints of the fingers ( as opposed to the joints of the tips of the fingers, which are commonly involved with osteoarthritis), the wrist, base of the toes, shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles. The neck can be involved but the joints in the hips and the back are usually not affected. When the disease becomes severe, larger joints are also affected. Some people also experience the effects of rheumatoid Arthritis in places other than the joints. About one-quarter develops rheumatoid nodules. Some people develop anaemia, or a decrease in the normal number of red blood cells. Other effects, which occur less often, include neck pain, dry eyes and mouth. Very rarely, people may have inflammation of the blood vessels, the lining of the lungs, or the sac enclosing the heart. 

Predominant Age and Sex
It usually attacks person between the ages of 40 and 60 with the female ratio more than three times that of males. However, no age group is exempted. It affects nearly one in hundred people. 

Causes
The specific cause of rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown. However, RA involves an attack on the body by its own immune cells ( auto-immune disease). It is generally believed that pathological changes in the joints are related to an antigen-antibody reaction that is poorly understood. Family studies and, in particular, the analysis of twins suggests that genetics and environmental influences are important in susceptibility to RA. Studies have demonstrated an associated between HLA – DR4 and seropositive diseases. Some people with rheumatoid Arthirits do not have these particular genes, and other people have these genes but never develop the disease. In nearly 70 of the cases, patients are positive to these antigen and an individual with one of these antigens is 6-12 times more prone to develop RA. 
Since the causes are unknown, modern medical science has no satisfactory treatment for the disease. Steps are generally directed towards relieving the symptoms and restoring the function of affected joints. 

Risk Factors
• HLA – DR4
• Family history  Read Previous  Read More...