Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction.
The American College of Rheumatology has defined (1987) the following criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Morning stiffness of >1 hour.
- Arthritis and soft-tissue swelling of >3 of 14 joints/joint groups
- Arthritis of hand joints
- Symmetric arthritis
- Subcutaneous nodules in specific places
- Rheumatoid factor at a level above the 95th percentile
- Radiological changes suggestive of joint erosion
Four criteria have to be met, although many patients are treated despite not meeting the criteria.
The symptoms that distinguish rheumatoid arthritis are inflammation and soft-tissue swelling of many joints at the same time (polyarthritis). The hands are generally affected in a symmetric fashion. The pain generally improves with use of the affected joints, and there is usually stiffness of all joints in the morning that lasts over 1 hour…
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