22/07/2026
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis: Is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and long-term disability if not treated early.
Unlike “wear and tear” arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect people at any age and often involves multiple joints symmetrically.
✅Common Symptoms
- Persistent joint pain, swelling and tenderness
- Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Reduced range of motion
✅The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. However, there are identified risk factors including:
- S*x: Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
- Age: It can occur at any age, but most commonly in middle age.
- Smoking: A major, modifiable risk factor that can also worsen the disease.
- Family History of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Obesity
- Infections
✅Diagnosis
Physicians use a scoring system based on joint involvement, symptom duration (often >6 weeks), inflammation markers, and antibody presence to make a diagnosis, aiming for early detection before significant damage occurs.
✅Investigations
- Antibody Tests (Rheumatoid factor testing & Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies)
- Inflammation markers (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate & C-Reactive Protein)
- Full blood count to rule out other conditions, and tests for infections like Hepatitis C.
- Imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI).
✅Supports accurate diagnosis and monitoring
Don’t ignore persistent joint pain
Seek early testing and care
Advocate for access to diagnostics.
