Rheumatoid Arthritis 101

The Basics

There are many types of arthritis. The most common, onset arthritis (OA), is the "wear and tear" of joints that comes with aging.

RA is very different from OA and is NOT related to the aging process. RA effects people, mostly women (3 to 1), in their prime and even children (JRA). It is also different in many other ways, making it actually more closely related to lupus than to OA. As an autoimmune disease, RA is also related to colitis, MS and a host of others.

Rheumatoid arthritis  is an incurable, progressive chronic auto-immune disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.

Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. So too can remissions, some drug induced.

RA is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body1. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical to continue living a productive lifestyle. Recent studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery2.

RA is also associated with higher risk of heart attack and death from cardio-- which is another reason to treat it early and aggressively

RA affects 1 percent of the U.S. population or 2.1 million Americans. Currently, the cause of RA is unknown, although there are several theories. And while there is no cure, it is easier than ever to control RA through the use of new drugs, exercise, joint protection techniques and self-management techniques. While there is no good time to have rheumatoid arthritis, advancements in research and drug development mean that more people with RA are living happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.


Source: Arthritis Foundation


1. I was hospitalized in 2003 with pleural effusion (fluid in the lining of the lungs) caused by RA.

2. Unfortunately, this was not the case at the time I was diagnosed.