What organs does rheumatoid arthritis affect. How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Multiple Organs: A Comprehensive Guide
How does rheumatoid arthritis impact various body systems. What are the effects of RA on eyes, mouth, hands, and feet. Why is early treatment crucial for managing rheumatoid arthritis. How can patients protect their organs from RA-related damage.
The Systemic Nature of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disorder that extends far beyond joint inflammation. While commonly associated with joint pain and stiffness, RA’s impact on the body is much more extensive. This systemic disease can affect multiple organs and bodily systems, potentially leading to serious complications if left untreated.
Why is early intervention so critical in managing RA? Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve a patient’s prognosis. Dr. Jonathan Greer, a rheumatologist in Boynton Beach, Florida, emphasizes, “The earlier you begin medication, the better your chances of halting joint damage, protecting your organs, and living a longer life without pain and disability.”
Ocular Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The eyes are often overlooked when considering the effects of RA, but they can be significantly impacted by the disease. What are the most common eye conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
- Dry eye syndrome
- Episcleritis (redness in the white part of the eye)
- Scleritis (inflammation of the sclera)
- Uveitis (inflammation of the uvea)
Dry eye syndrome and episcleritis are generally manageable with over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. However, scleritis and uveitis are more serious conditions that require prompt medical attention. Untreated scleritis can lead to vision loss, while uveitis can cause floaters, blurred vision, and pain.
Dr. Ana-Maria Orbai, a rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, warns that untreated uveitis may increase the risk of glaucoma. This condition causes pressure to build up in the eye, potentially damaging the optic nerve and leading to blindness. It’s worth noting that long-term use of steroid medications for RA can also contribute to glaucoma development.
The Link Between RA and Sjögren’s Syndrome
Up to 30 percent of individuals with RA develop Sjögren’s syndrome, another autoimmune disease. How does Sjögren’s syndrome affect RA patients? This condition primarily impacts tear and salivary glands, resulting in extremely dry eyes and other related symptoms. The combination of RA and Sjögren’s syndrome can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and requires comprehensive management.
Given the potential for these eye-related complications, regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist are crucial for RA patients. Annual check-ups can help detect and address these conditions early, potentially preventing more severe complications.
Oral Health Implications of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The mouth is another area where RA can have profound effects. Research indicates that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to periodontal disease, which typically begins as a gum infection. Additionally, RA patients often experience dry mouth, a condition that can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Is there a bidirectional relationship between oral health and RA? Evidence suggests that poor oral health may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of RA. The Arthritis Foundation reports that bacteria in the mouth can create autoantibodies that attack joint linings. Furthermore, damaged gum tissue may allow these bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting other parts of the body.
While researchers continue to investigate this connection, the key takeaway is clear: maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for RA patients. Regular dental check-ups can help prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems. Some rheumatologists recommend visits every three months instead of the usual six-month intervals, depending on the patient’s insurance coverage and financial situation.
Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Hands and Feet
The effects of RA on hands and feet are perhaps the most visible and functionally impactful manifestations of the disease. Beyond joint pain, what other complications can RA cause in these extremities?
- Locking joints
- Ulnar deviation (ulnar drift)
- Swan-neck deformities
- Ruptured tendons
- Muscle cramping
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
These complications can significantly impair a person’s ability to perform basic tasks such as writing, holding objects, and opening containers. Early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is crucial in preventing or minimizing these deformities.
Muscle cramping in the hands can often be relieved through gentle movements and the application of warm compresses. However, numbness or signs of carpal tunnel syndrome should prompt immediate medical consultation, as these symptoms may indicate inflammation affecting the median nerve.
Cardiovascular Complications in Rheumatoid Arthritis
The impact of RA extends to the cardiovascular system, significantly increasing the risk of heart-related complications. How does rheumatoid arthritis affect heart health?
- Increased risk of atherosclerosis
- Higher likelihood of heart attacks and strokes
- Potential for heart valve inflammation
- Development of pericarditis (inflammation of the heart’s outer lining)
The chronic inflammation associated with RA can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries. This process increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes in RA patients. Additionally, the inflammation can directly affect the heart, leading to conditions such as pericarditis or heart valve inflammation.
Managing cardiovascular risk factors becomes crucial for RA patients. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Regular cardiovascular check-ups and open communication with both rheumatologists and cardiologists can help mitigate these risks.
Pulmonary Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The lungs are another organ system significantly impacted by rheumatoid arthritis. What are the most common pulmonary complications associated with RA?
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Rheumatoid nodules in the lungs
- Pleural effusion
- Increased risk of respiratory infections
Interstitial lung disease is perhaps the most serious pulmonary complication of RA. This condition involves inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue, which can lead to breathing difficulties and reduced oxygen absorption. Rheumatoid nodules may also develop in the lungs, although they are usually asymptomatic.
Pleural effusion, the accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity, can occur in RA patients. This condition may cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Additionally, the immunosuppressive treatments used for RA can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Regular pulmonary function tests and chest imaging studies are essential for RA patients to monitor lung health. Early detection and management of these complications can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
Neurological Implications of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The nervous system is not immune to the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. How can RA impact neurological function?
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cervical spine instability
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cognitive impairment
Peripheral neuropathy, a condition affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, can occur in RA patients. This may lead to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities. Cervical spine instability is another serious complication, where inflammation in the neck region can lead to compression of the spinal cord.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, as mentioned earlier, is a common neurological complication in RA. The inflammation and swelling in the wrist can compress the median nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
Recent research has also suggested a potential link between RA and cognitive impairment. The chronic inflammation associated with RA may contribute to changes in brain function over time. While more studies are needed to fully understand this connection, it underscores the importance of comprehensive care for RA patients.
Hematological Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can have significant impacts on the blood and bone marrow. What are the most common hematological complications in RA patients?
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Thrombocytosis
- Felty’s syndrome
- Large granular lymphocyte syndrome
Anemia of chronic disease is a common finding in RA patients. This condition results from the body’s inability to effectively use iron for red blood cell production due to ongoing inflammation. Thrombocytosis, an increase in platelet count, can also occur in response to the chronic inflammatory state.
Felty’s syndrome is a rare but serious complication of long-standing RA. It is characterized by the triad of rheumatoid arthritis, an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), and a low white blood cell count (neutropenia). This condition increases the risk of infections and requires careful management.
Large granular lymphocyte syndrome is another rare complication associated with RA. It involves an expansion of specific white blood cells and can lead to recurrent infections, anemia, and an enlarged spleen.
Regular blood tests are crucial for RA patients to monitor these potential complications. Early detection and appropriate management can help prevent more serious outcomes and improve overall health.
In conclusion, rheumatoid arthritis is a complex, multisystem disease that extends far beyond joint inflammation. Its effects can be seen in virtually every organ system, from the eyes and mouth to the heart, lungs, and nervous system. Understanding these wide-ranging impacts underscores the importance of early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and regular monitoring for RA patients. By addressing the disease from a holistic perspective, healthcare providers can help patients manage their symptoms more effectively and improve their overall quality of life.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Whole Body
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune inflammatory condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling, is most noted for its effects on the body’s joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the whole body, damage major organs, and even lead to a shortened life span.
The earlier you begin medication, the better your chances of halting joint damage, protecting your organs, and living a longer life without pain and disability, says Jonathan Greer, MD, a rheumatologist in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Here’s everything you need to know to protect various parts of your body if you have RA.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Affect Your Eyes
Because of inflammation around the eyes, some people with rheumatoid arthritis may get either dry eye syndrome or episcleritis, a redness in the white part of the eye. These can generally be managed with over-the-counter or prescription drops, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
A more serious eye condition is scleritis, in which a deeper part of the white area, the sclera, is affected. Untreated, scleritis can lead to vision loss.
Uveitis can develop when the eye’s middle layer, the uvea, is inflamed. This brings on floaters (cobwebs or black spots in the field of vision), blurred vision, and pain, says Ana-Maria Orbai, MD, a rheumatologist and an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Untreated uveitis can put a person at risk of glaucoma, a disease that causes pressure to build up in the eye that can ultimately damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. (This can also happen to people who take steroid medications for RA over a long period of time.) Treatment for both scleritis and uveitis involves corticosteroid eye drops, though this may not be enough to treat uveitis beyond the front of the eye, in which case oral and injected corticosteroids may be needed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It’s also important to note that up to 30 percent of people with RA develop another autoimmune disease, Sjögren’s syndrome. This disease affects tear glands (as well as salivary glands), causing very dry eyes along with other symptoms.
Because of the risk of these eye diseases, regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist are critical to diagnosing these conditions early, which is why everyone living with RA should see this specialist every year.
RELATED: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Eyes: What to Know
How Rheumatoid Arthritis May Affect Your Mouth
Research shows that people who have rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to develop periodontal disease, which usually starts with a gum infection.
They are also more likely to have dry mouth, which can predispose them to tooth decay. (This is especially true for people with coexisting Sjögren’s syndrome.)
The flip side of this may be true too: Poor oral health may lead to the onset or worsening of RA. Evidence suggests that bacteria in the mouth create autoantibodies that can attack the lining of the joints; according to the Arthritis Foundation, damaged gum tissue allows these bacteria to travel from the mouth into the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body.
Researchers have been working to better understand the mechanism behind this, but the takeaway is that treating gum disease and preventing unnecessary gum infections is good for your RA, as well. Schedule frequent dental checkups to catch minor issues before they become major problems. Some rheumatologists recommend a visit every three months, instead of the usual six, if you can afford it or your insurance covers it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Hands and Feet
Since RA is a condition of the joints, it’s obvious that it affects a person’s hands and feet. But beyond joint pain, RA can cause other distortions and deformities if it is not treated as early as possible with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Some of the most common symptoms affecting the hands include locking joints, ulnar deviation (also called ulnar drift — a weakening of tendons and ligaments that cause fingers to curve toward the pinkie), swan-neck deformities (distortions of the joints causing unusual bending and straightening), and even ruptured tendons, according to research published in the European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology in 2020. All these effects can make basic life tasks such as writing, holding objects, and unscrewing lids difficult.
The hands can also be affected by muscle cramping, which can be relieved by gentle movements and warm compresses. More concerning, the inflammation of RA can affect the median nerve (which runs from the wrist to the fingers), causing numbness or carpal tunnel syndrome, notes CreakyJoints. See your doctor if you experience any of these.
In the feet, uncontrolled inflammation may lead to painful conditions like hammertoes (abnormal bending of the toes), bunion (a bony nodule on the outside edge of the big toe), a collapsed arch, and flatfoot deformity, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
RELATED: How to Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Related Foot Pain
In addition to seeing your rheumatologist and, if necessary, a podiatrist, you may also consult an occupational or physical therapist. These experts help you learn ways of moving that are less painful and that strengthen muscles, says Rebecca Manno, MD, a rheumatologist and adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Rashes, Ulcers, and Bumps: How RA Affects Your Skin
A skin rash or ulcers on the arms and legs sometimes occur in people with rheumatoid arthritis, especially if the disease has gone untreated for a long time, Dr. Greer says.
Up to 25 percent of people with RA develop rheumatoid nodules — knots of inflammatory tissue just under the skin near a joint. Most often appearing on the elbows, hands, and feet, they can be treated with a steroid injection if they become bothersome.
The conditions that affect the skin tend to resolve once RA is controlled with DMARD medications.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Heart and Circulatory System
Higher levels of inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis increase the risk of heart disease, especially heart attacks and strokes, Greer says. Inflammation increases the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which narrows blood vessels and slows blood flow, notes the Arthritis Foundation, upping the chances of stroke and heart attack.
These heart conditions are also more deadly in those with RA. In people with systemic inflammatory diseases, heart attacks in those under 50 were found to be twice as likely to be fatal compared with heart attacks in people without an inflammatory condition, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in March 2021.
To lower your risk, you’ll want to get your RA under control and also reduce heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet can lower your risk of heart disease.
Another way to assist your heart and improve your RA: Don’t smoke; and if you do smoke, quit as soon as possible; in addition, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Finally, know that certain RA medications themselves – including NSAIDs and steroids, per the Arthritis Foundation – have been linked to heart problems; JAK inhibitors may raise cholesterol levels, notes CreakyJoints. But these side effects are are not a reason to skip drug treatment. “The negative effects of not treating RA with medication are much, much worse than the side effects of RA drugs,” cautions Greer.
RA Can Trigger Anemia and Fatigue
A large percentage of people living with RA experience anemia, a shortage of red blood cells or the iron-rich hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all the cells in the body and organs, so when your organs aren’t getting enough O2, you can experience weakness, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and more.
There are different types of anemia, and a common type in RA patients is called anemia of chronic disease. RA’s inflammatory molecules may interfere with the body’s ability to use iron, which in turn leads to anemia. Iron supplementation can help, but the best treatment is to keep the inflammation of RA under control with DMARD medication.
Another cause of fatigue: Autoimmune disorders like RA can trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines (proteins) in the blood, and the body undergoes stress as it tries to manage this, which leads to fatigue, notes the Arthritis Foundation. In addition, the depression and pain that may come along with RA continually sap energy.
RELATED: The Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anemia
Fever: A Full-Body Effect of Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to the American College of Rheumatology, low-grade fever is one of many common rheumatoid arthritis experiences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers an adult to have a fever when their temperature is at least 100. 4 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), with symptoms of feverishness or chills.
Fever can occur as a result of your body’s autoimmune response. Once you start treating your RA, systemic symptoms like fever should improve, notes CreakyJoints, but some people may still develop low-grade fevers on occasion, depending on their disease activity.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Impacts Organs
In addition to heart problems, RA can increase your risk of damage to other organs, such as the lungs and kidneys.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Your Lungs
The most common RA-related lung complication is interstitial lung disease (ILD), a condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. This illness can be hard to detect but occurs when lung tissue becomes inflamed and eventually scarred.
It’s unclear exactly how many people with RA develop it, but French researchers presenting an abstract at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual conference in 2020 found that the prevalence of subclinical (symptomless) ILD was 18 percent in people who had RA for a dozen years. Other research has detected ILD in up to 60 percent of patients with RA, with 10 percent of cases being clinically significant. People with RA are nine times more likely to develop ILD than the general population, according to a review published in May 2022 in Frontiers in Medicine.
This scarring makes it harder for oxygen in the lungs to enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs. The condition can cause breathlessness and coughing, but it can also be asymptomatic. If untreated, it can progress to pulmonary fibrosis, in which tissues are permanently scarred.
Research also shows that RA sufferers are at double the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis), in which the air sacs can’t expand as easily and become clogged with mucus. There is no cure for COPD, although inhalers and steroids can help open airways.
Pleural effusion is another condition with increased risk. Here, the pleura — the tissue surrounding the lungs — becomes inflamed, which can lead to fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
People with RA may also develop nodules in the lungs, though they may not be bothered by them. (Nodules can also form on the throat and vocal cords, causing difficulty speaking.)
Being proactive and diligent about your RA treatment can address inflammation and minimize the risk for lung problems. And of course, if you smoke, quit.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Kidney Function
People with RA have a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease, though as RA treatment has improved — including the use of biologic medications and a decrease in chronic NSAID use — kidney problems have been reduced, according to an article published in Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America in November 2018.
Amyloidosis, a condition caused by the abnormal buildup of certain proteins that can impair kidney function, may occur in association with RA — usually in the later stages or if someone’s disease isn’t well-controlled with medication. The symptoms can be vague, such as weakness or swelling, and can include an enlarged spleen and gastrointestinal issues.
To screen for amyloidosis, rheumatologists will periodically check your kidney function.
To maintain healthy kidneys, you should also take care not to overuse nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, as they can damage the kidneys, too.
RELATED: Protect Your Kidneys When You Have RA
Mental Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression
The fear that comes with living with any chronic illness, as well as dealing with daily pain and limited mobility, can take a toll on emotional wellness. But when it comes to RA, depression can be more than just an emotional response to the disease. “There is a clear link between RA and depression,” says Daniel Solomon, MD, MPH, the chief of the clinical sciences section in the division of rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “We don’t yet understand how much of the depression is from a reaction to the disease and how much is the inflammation of the disease, but they both contribute somehow. ”
What experts do know is that treatment for RA’s inflammation quells the inflammation associated with depression. The opposite may also be true: Treatment for depression (with talk therapy or medication, for example) may lessen the pain of the disease. As the Arthritis Foundation notes, while pain can incite depression, depression can also worsen pain. According to research presented at the 2021 annual congress of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), catastrophizing about pain makes it worse, and it can actually impede RA remission.
RELATED: The Link Between RA, Depression, and Anxiety
Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Threaten Bone Health
RA can increase your risk of osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become less dense and more fragile, increasing the likelihood they will break.
According to a study in the August 2021 issue of Cureus, there are several reasons for this association: chronic joint inflammation, genetics, the role of estrogen, and the fact that certain RA medications, such as corticosteroids, can speed bone loss. Bone loss is most prevalent in areas that immediately surround joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, notes the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Fractures most commonly occur at the spine, wrist, and hip, per the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), which notes that spine and hip fractures may lead to chronic pain, disability, and even death.
The best way to protect bones when you have rheumatoid arthritis? Eat calcium-rich and vitamin D–rich foods like eggs and fish, as well as D-fortified foods; do weight-bearing exercises (walking, stair-stepping) that your doctor approves; if you smoke, quit; and get a bone mineral density test so your doctor can consider whether you need medication.
RELATED: What to Eat and What to Avoid for Osteoporosis Prevention
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Effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the body
RA is an autoimmune disease. Doctors also classify it as a systemic disease because it can have effects throughout the body.
Image credit: Stephen Kelly, 2018
The joints
RA can affect almost any joint in the body, and it commonly develops in the fingers, hands, and feet. It usually affects the same joint on both sides, for example, both knees. RA does not affect the sacroiliac joints, which join the spine to the pelvis. In the spine, it only affects two joints in the neck.
The condition primarily targets the lining of the joints, called the synovium. In RA, the synovium becomes inflamed, swollen, and thick, due to cell proliferation. This it can lead to stiffness, pain, and a loss of mobility. Joint pain and stiffness in the morning can be an early sign of RA.
The skeleton
The joints contain cartilage, which prevents the bones in the joint from rubbing together. Over time, inflammation from RA can cause the cartilage to break down.
If the bones rub together, it can permanently damage the joint. This is a significant cause of pain and stiffness in people with advanced RA.
RA can also cause the bones to lose density, leading to osteoporosis, which involves the bones becoming thinner and more brittle. Research from 2020 describes osteoporosis as a common complication of RA and suggests that it may happen because similar immune and inflammatory features play a role in both conditions. A loss of bone increases the risk of breaks and fractures.
People who use corticosteroids to manage RA have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, and so experts recommend using the lowest possible dosage.
The skin
Up to 20% of people with RA develop rheumatoid nodules near the joints and pressure points. These are small, firm bumps made of inflammatory tissue.
Rheumatoid nodules develop under the skin, over bony areas. While they are often painless and generally not a cause for concern, they can cause discomfort if a person places pressure on them, such as when kneeling. In some cases, infection and ulcers can occur. The most common places for nodules are the fingers and elbows, which people often rest on the arms of a chair.
RA can also cause inflammation in the skin, sometimes leading to:
- red patches
- swelling
- infection
- ulcers, in some cases
Ulceration in RA is usually a sign of vasculitis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels. If ulcers develop, this could indicate that the person has more active disease affecting their whole system.
RA can also cause:
- thin, wrinkled skin that bruises easily
- dry skin
- discoloration of the palms of the hands
- brittleness, splitting, or thickening of the nails
- in rare cases, papules, nodules, plaques, lesions, and ulcers
Wounds may also take longer to heal in someone with RA. Many factors related to the disease, including vasculitis, can have this effect.
In addition, some RA medications can cause skin rashes.
The mouth
People with RA may experience xerostomia, or dry mouth.
Having RA increases the risk of developing Sjögren’s disease, which causes dryness in the eyes and mouth, among other symptoms. Like RA, Sjögren’s disease is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder.
RA can also cause saliva ducts to narrow or close, leading to an uncomfortable feeling of dryness and difficulty eating and swallowing. Chronic dry mouth can contribute to gingivitis and tooth decay.
The eyes
RA can also cause inflammation in the eyes, as well as dry eye syndrome, which can lead to ongoing irritation and eventually damage the cornea.
The effects of RA on the eyes can include:
- dry eyes, a feature of Sjögren’s
- scleritis, or inflammation of the whites of the eyes
- uveitis, or inflammation of the inner eye
- retinal vascular occlusion, or blocked blood vessels in the eye
- glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve
- cataracts, which results from inflammation in the optic lens
The lungs
In around 80% of people with RA, the disease affects the lungs. This may cause no symptoms, but prolonged inflammation in the lungs can lead to pulmonary fibrosis, which can cause scarring and breathing difficulties.
Rheumatoid nodules can also form in the lungs, though these are not usually a significant cause for concern.
Some RA medications can make the immune system less effective. This can make people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, including pneumonia and tuberculosis.
The heart
Inflammation from RA can damage the heart and blood vessels. In some cases, the consequences are life threatening.
RA can cause the following complications:
- Anemia: Inflammation can lead to low level of red blood cells, resulting in symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
- Atherosclerosis:Chronic inflammation can damage the walls of the blood vessels. This can cause the body to absorb more cholesterol, which can cause plaque to build up inside the arteries.
- Heart attack or stroke:These can result if plaque builds up and blocks an artery or another blood vessel.
- Pericarditis: RA can cause inflammation in the lining of the heart, the pericardium, leading to chest pain.
The nerves
RA causes inflammation and swelling, and it can lead to peripheral neuropathy — nerve pain throughout the body. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and burning and tingling sensations. These may develop in the hands and feet.
According to some research, peripheral neuropathy may affect almost 40% of people with RA and is more common among older people and those with more severe RA.
When RA develops in the wrist, it can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This occurs when inflamed tissue in the wrist squeezes a nerve that extends from the forearm.
The feet
If RA affects the feet, it can limit the person’s mobility. Because the feet bear the weight of the body, the pain can become severe.
RA often develops in the joints of the toes and, less commonly, the ankles. The condition can also lead to:
- inflamed bursae, which are painful, fluid-filled sacs that appear on the balls of the feet
- nodules on the pad of the heel, the Achilles tendon, and other bony areas, at pressure points
- corns and calluses, patches of hard, thick skin that develop as the shape of the foot changes
- ulcers, if the person does not receive treatment
- nerve compression, when RA damages a joint
- circulatory problems, if inflammation in the blood vessels and joint damage block the flow of blood to the feet
If RA causes circulatory problems, their feet or toes may become numb easily or develop a bluish tinge.
The mind and brain
Many people with RA may experience psychological effects, such as:
- depression
- problems with thinking and reasoning, including “brain fog“
- behavioral changes
These issues may occur:
- as side effects of RA medication
- in response to chronic pain
- as a result of blocked arteries in the brain
- due to a lack of exercise
- as a result of inflammation, which may be low-level
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledge that addressing mental health factors in people with arthritis might enhance the effects of treatment.
The kidneys and liver
Prescription medications for RA can cause complications, including liver and kidney damage. This can result from the long-term use of pain relief or anti-inflammatory medications.
RA is a progressive disease that usually worsens gradually, though medication can help slow its progress.
Over time, symptoms may become more severe or start to affect other joints or parts of the body if the treatment is not effective enough. For people with more advanced cases, surgery or joint replacements can help.
RA can be unpredictable. In the long term, people with RA may notice:
- changes in the severity and frequency of symptoms
- periods in which symptoms flare up, which can become more or less frequent
- periods of remission that vary in length
When RA progresses, symptoms occur more frequently, and pain often grows worse. Below are common indications that RA is progressing:
- pain and swelling increase
- pain and swelling occur more regularly
- other symptoms arise more frequently and last longer
- symptoms appear in new areas
- blood tests show higher levels of inflammatory markers and other biomarkers of RA
Anyone who notices new symptoms or symptoms that worsen or appear more frequently should contact a doctor.
People with RA often benefit from a tailored treatment plan. Guidelines published by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend that doctors work with each individual to develop a plan that suits their specific symptoms. This may involve treatment from specialists in different areas.
What is the outlook for RA, and does it affect life expectancy?
RA is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints and can also affect other areas, including the skin, eyes, brain, and cardiovascular system. It can increase the risk of other health problems, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms tend to fluctuate, worsening and improving periodically. Treatments can help manage the symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and reduce the risk of permanent damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis | Clinical Rheumatology Hospital №25
Rheumatoid arthritis | Clinical Rheumatology Hospital №25
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis. The impetus for the development of this disease may be one of the following factors or a combination of them:
- genetic predisposition – the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis is increased by about 4 times in blood relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the impaired response of the immune system to the action of infectious and other agents, during which arthritis develops.
- infectious agents – several infectious agents have been identified that can trigger the development of rheumatoid arthritis (rubella, herpes, Epstein-Barr viruses, retroviruses, cytomegalovirus, mycoplasma, etc.). However, none can be the only cause of rheumatoid arthritis. They are only the trigger mechanism of the pathological process.
- psycho-emotional stress and excessive physical activity – childbirth or abortion, trouble in the family or social sphere, the impact on the body of chemical, radiation, toxic factors – also provoke the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
How does rheumatoid arthritis manifest itself? How to recognize rheumatoid arthritis? What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
The main clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- morning stiffness – a feeling of stiffness in the affected joints, requiring their “development” especially in the morning. With multiple lesions of the joints, this can lead during the period of exacerbation to complete immobility of the patient, usually increasing from the middle of the night and reaching its peak by the patient’s awakening in the morning. Often the severity of morning stiffness corresponds to the level of activity of the inflammatory process. But in a small number of patients it may be mild.
- pain and deformity of the joints, swelling and limited range of motion in the affected joints – are intermittent and depend on the severity of inflammation and are especially disturbing during exercise. However, with the development of pronounced destruction of the joints and the formation of contractures, restrictions on movements are already permanent. A feature of rheumatoid arthritis is a symmetrical lesion of the joints (for example, small joints of both hands).
- temperature, weight loss, general weakness – may appear at the beginning of the disease even before the development of typical changes in the joints and increase with an exacerbation of the disease.
DEVELOPMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is based on autoimmune inflammation, as a result of which the immune system, due to a violation of its functions, instead of “attacking” the enemies of the body (microbes, viruses, tumor cells), begins to “attack” its own cells. An immune response is formed, leading to damage to one’s own tissues or organs. The cells of the immune system produce specific proteins – various antibodies against the body’s own cells – autoantibodies. Some of them are called rheumatoid factor (RF) and are regularly evaluated in your blood when taking tests, not only during the diagnosis, but also during treatment. The level of rheumatoid factor characterizes the activity of the disease and helps to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy. In rheumatoid arthritis, the tissues of the joints are primarily affected. For many people, the initial symptoms of arthritis are very vague and include weakness, muscle pain, and a low temperature.
CHANGES IN THE JOINTS in rheumatoid arthritis are the result of several processes:
1. A chronic inflammatory process leads to a gradually increasing destruction of cartilage and bones. The main destruction of joint structures in rheumatoid arthritis is caused by pannus, an aggressive tissue that begins to grow under the influence of factors produced by the immune system in the joint cavity. The mechanism of destruction is associated both with the mechanical pressure of the growing pannus, and with the formation of a large number of various aggressive enzymes that “corrode” the tissues of the joint. And in the adjacent bone tissue, these same processes cause rarefaction – “periarticular osteoporosis”.
2. Under the influence of a large number of different substances that are produced by the cells of the immune system and are formed as a result of the destruction of joint tissues, nearby soft tissues begin to change. There is a gradual atrophy of the muscles, contractures are formed.
All this leads to those external deformations of the joints, which are a characteristic feature of rheumatoid arthritis. With no other disease, the joints do not change so much. This is especially significant in the small joints of the hands and feet.
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Rheumatoid arthritis – symptoms, treatment, causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the joints, characterized by erosive symmetrical polyarthritis in combination with systemic immune-inflammatory lesions of internal organs (lungs, liver, heart, peripheral nervous system, skin). One of the most severe and common inflammatory diseases of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease that occurs in all countries and among all peoples of the world in about 1% of the total population, in Russia it affects about 0. 6% of the population. Both a child and an old man can get rheumatoid arthritis, but women of active age are more likely to get sick (women get rheumatoid arthritis 3 times more often than men). The peak onset of the disease occurs between 40 and 55 years of age.
The cause of the disease is unknown. It is only known that some people are genetically predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease is not directly transmitted from parents to children. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. In 20–30% of patients, the disease begins after an infection, most often nasopharyngeal. However, long-term searches for a specific microorganism that causes rheumatoid arthritis have not been successful, so there is no reason to consider this disease infectious. Another significant factor provoking the development of the disease is severe emotional stress (quarrels, divorces, exams, etc.). At the same time, in about a third of patients, the first symptoms appear in full health, for no apparent reason.
Inflammation in RA has been found to be caused by a malfunction of the immune system. For some reason, cells of the immune system are activated and begin to produce special regulatory proteins – pro-inflammatory cytokines – that cause an inflammatory reaction and disruption of the cells of the joint membrane, the inner lining of blood vessels, bone tissue, etc. As a result, a self-sustaining constantly ongoing inflammatory process is formed. Inflammation in RA is the result of an excessive, too active (albeit incorrect) functioning of the immune system. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis can be attributed to the group of autoimmune diseases – that is, conditions when the immune system actively works against its own body.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
The main manifestation of the disease is pain and swelling in various joints, primarily in the joints of the fingers. Symmetrical lesions of the small joints of the hands and feet are characteristic. Increased pain during movement and at rest, morning stiffness, swelling, dysfunction of the joints. Over time, the foot, ankle, knee, and elbow joints may be involved in the process. In some patients, on the contrary, the first to be affected are the joints of the legs (knee, ankle), shoulder joints, and only then the hands. Chronic inflammation of the joint leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage and the occurrence of joint deformity, which in turn impairs its function – there are pain during movement and stiffness.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made after questioning the patient, examining the condition of the joints.
Additional examination:
- complete blood count – a decrease in hemoglobin level, an acceleration of ESR is characteristic.
- rheumatoid factor, antibodies to cyclic cetrillinated peptide (ACCP).
- biochemical indicators – AST, ALT, urea, creatinine. They are necessary to assess the safety of prescribing therapy and in the future its tolerability
- X-ray of hands and feet. Erosive changes characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis develop primarily in these joints, but not earlier than 6 months. To monitor the condition of the lungs and heart, an x-ray of the chest organs is done, for special indications – computed tomography of the lungs. MRI or ultrasound – especially if the disease is at an early stage, when the external deformation of the joints is not so noticeable, and it is important to track minor changes.
Of course, the sooner the patient seeks medical help, the better the prognosis for the course of the disease. If you notice joint problems in yourself or your loved ones, do not delay contacting a specialist. This is a serious disease that brings irreversible changes, i.e. the longer the patient delays seeing a doctor, the more damage it does to the quality of one’s own life even after a course of treatment in the future.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The doctors of our center are very attentive to the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, because the progression of this disease can lead not only to a decrease in the quality of life, but also to disability, serious restrictions on movement, especially considering the older age of most patients.
The task of the attending physician is to relieve, i.e. elimination of pain and establishing control over the course of the disease: even if it is impossible to return the state of the joints to the lesion, it is possible to prevent progression. We warn our patients that the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be lifelong: periodic visits to the doctor will be required for consultation and treatment that will keep the joints in an unchanged condition. Only proven, proven methods are used.
Therefore, only proven, proven methods are used. First of all, this is drug therapy, which is aimed at the speedy removal of inflammation in the joints or in the body, if it has managed to spread to other organs. For the effectiveness of treatment, some drugs (for example, glucocorticosteroids) are administered intraarticularly. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve severe pain.
The basis of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is the appointment of basic anti-inflammatory drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine. The drugs of this group are able to suppress inflammation and pathological activation of the immune system. Due to this, not only the manifestations of inflammation are suppressed, but also the process of destruction of joint tissues. In recent years, we have begun to use the so-called genetically engineered biological preparations. These are modern drugs that have a targeted effect on the key links of the inflammatory process. They are human or animal antibodies to inflammatory mediators. highly effective drugs.
For the convenience of our patients, the department of rheumatology was equipped with all the necessary medical and diagnostic equipment, its own laboratory is also successfully functioning, and not only standard physiotherapy is available for rehabilitation, but also massage courses, acupuncture, therapeutic exercises – and all this within one center under the guidance of experts.
This article is informational and is not intended for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.