Rheumatoid Arthritis Specialists in Karnataka
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of joints, causing painful inflam…
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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of joints, causing painful inflammation, swelling, and progressive joint damage. It most commonly affects the small joints of the hands and feet symmetrically but can also involve larger joints and other organs including the lungs, heart, and eyes. Over time, unchecked inflammation can erode cartilage and bone, leading to deformity and disability. It typically develops between ages 30 and 60 and is more common in women.
Severe
Common — affects about 0.5-1% of the global adult population
No
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Caused by an autoimmune reaction where the immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, though the exact trigger is unknown. Genetic predisposition (particularly the HLA-DR4 gene), smoking, obesity, and environmental factors are believed to interact to trigger disease onset. Hormonal factors may also play a role given the higher prevalence in women.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint pain and swelling, morning stiffness lasting over an hour, symmetrical joint involvement, fatigue, low-grade fever, warmth and tenderness over joints, reduced range of motion, firm nodules under the skin, joint deformity in advanced stages
Treatment & Types of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Karnataka
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate are the cornerstone of treatment to slow joint damage, often combined with biologic agents targeting inflammatory pathways when needed. NSAIDs and corticosteroids help control pain and inflammation during flares, while physical therapy and occupational therapy help preserve joint function and mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis is broadly classified as seropositive, where blood tests show rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP antibodies and disease tends to be more aggressive with a higher risk of joint erosion, or seronegative, where these antibodies are absent but joint inflammation and damage can still occur. It is also staged by disease activity and radiographic progression, from early disease with reversible inflammation to established disease with visible joint erosion and, in advanced untreated cases, permanent deformity affecting hand and foot function.
Rheumatology Specialists in Karnataka (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is rheumatoid arthritis the same as regular arthritis from aging?
No, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining, unlike osteoarthritis, which results from mechanical wear and tear over time. Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes symmetrical joint involvement and prolonged morning stiffness lasting over an hour, features not typical of osteoarthritis.
Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured?
There is no cure, but disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as methotrexate, often combined with biologic agents, can slow or halt joint damage effectively, and many patients achieve low disease activity or remission with early, consistent treatment. Starting treatment early, before significant joint damage occurs, gives the best long-term outcomes.
Does rheumatoid arthritis affect anything besides the joints?
Yes, it can also involve the lungs, heart, and eyes, and increases cardiovascular risk overall, so treatment and monitoring typically extend beyond just joint symptoms. Reporting new chest or breathing symptoms to a rheumatologist is worthwhile even when joint symptoms are well controlled.
Is rheumatoid arthritis hereditary?
Genetic factors, particularly certain HLA-DR4 gene variants, increase susceptibility, and smoking, obesity, and hormonal factors are believed to interact with this genetic predisposition to trigger disease onset. Having a close relative with rheumatoid arthritis does raise individual risk somewhat, though most people with the genetic marker never develop the disease.
Why is early treatment so strongly emphasized?
Unchecked inflammation can erode cartilage and bone within the first couple of years, leading to permanent deformity and disability, so starting disease-modifying treatment as early as possible after diagnosis significantly improves the chances of preventing this damage. Delaying treatment allows joint damage to accumulate that generally cannot be reversed later.