Journal of Arthritis

A Note on Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms and Types

Victo Andrew^{* *}Correspondence: Victo Andrew, Department of Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Email:

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Description

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which will affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can harm a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and veins. An autoimmune disease, rheumatism occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. Unlike the wear-andtear damage of osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorder affects the covering of your joints, causing a painful swelling that may eventually lead to bone disintegration and joint deformity. The inflammation related with autoimmune disease is what can damage other parts of the body also. While new varieties of medications have further developed the treatment choices significantly, serious rheumatism can still cause physical disabilities [1,2].

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorder may include:

• Delicate, warm, enlarged swollen joints

• Joint stiffness that is typically worse in the mornings and after inactivity

• Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first and particularly the joints which attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet. As the disease getting worse, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In some cases, symptoms occur within the same joints on each side of your body [3,4]. Areas that may be affected includes:

• Skin

• Eyes

• Lungs

• Heart

• Kidneys

• Salivary glands

• Nerve tissue

• Bone marrow

• Blood vessels

Types of rheumatoid arthritis

Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: If your blood tests positive for the protein called Rheumatoid Factor (RF) or the antibody anti- Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP), it means your body might be actively producing an immune response to your normal tissues. Having these proteins doesn't really mean you have Rheumatoid arthritis. Notwithstanding, in the event that you do, it can assist specialists with distinguishing the sort.

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis: People who test negative for Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and anti-CCP in their blood can still have Rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis does not depend on just these tests. Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) will also take into consider clinical symptoms, X-rays, and other laboratory tests. People who test negative for RF and anti-CCP tend to have a milder form of Rheumatoid arthritis than those who test positive for Rheumatoid Factor (RF).

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the common form of autoimmune disorder mostly affects the children. It is a swelling of the joints that is characterized by warmth and pain. Arthritis can be short-term, enduring only half a month or months and then disappearing - or it may be chronic and last for months, years or even a lifetime.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms might differ in severity and may even come and go. About 40% of individuals who have autoimmune disorder also experience signs and symptoms that do not involve the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. The important function of your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.

References

1. Rindfleisch, J.A. & Muller, D. “Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis.” Am Fam Physician. 72.6(2005):1037– 47.
2. Arend, W.P. “The pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.” Arthritis Rheum. 40.4(1997):595–597.
3. Samanci, N., et al. “Diagnostic value and clinical significance of anti-CCP in patients with advanced Rheumatoid arthritis.” J Natl Med Assoc. 97.8(2005):1120–1126.
4. Saag, K.G., et al. “American College of Rheumatology 2008 recommendations for the use of nonbiologic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis.” Arthritis Rheum. 59.6(2008):762– 784.