Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting many different joints in the body. It causes inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which can trigger pain, stiffness, and swelling and potentially lead to joint damage. Over time, the damage RA causes to joints typically results in pain and loss of movement.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder, a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks his or her own tissues.
• Joint damage from RA may begin during the early years after the onset of the disease. Because RA is a progressive disease that damages your joints, it’s important to start an effective treatment as soon as possible.
• RA affects more than 2 million Americans, which is approximately 1% of the population.
• In the United States, about 50,000 people develop RA each year, most of whom are women. In fact, the disease is found in at least twice as many women as men.
• RA can develop at any time, although it commonly begins between the ages of 35 and 50.
• The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, although genetic factors may contribute to the disease.

For more detailed rheumatoid arthritis information, please visit the following resources:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
• How Rheumatoid Arthritis Progresses
• Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Early Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis