Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease related to an autoimmune process (body’s immune system attacks healthy cells) which results in inflammation and pain in the joints. This type of arthritis occurs as a symmetrical distribution of joint inflammation most commonly in fingers, wrists, feet, ankles and knees. Other characteristics of the disease include morning stiffness, finger deformities, nodules under the skin, and may also involve the lungs. It is diagnosed by clinical presentation and a test for rheumatoid factor. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is used to follow disease activity. It is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs such as methotrexate.