Rheumatoid arthritis
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints, particularly hands, feet and knees.
Other parts of the body can also be affected. The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can result in damage to the joints.1
Who does it affect?
Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in middle life, with onset generally occurring between the ages of 25 to 50. However, elderly people can also develop it.
Women are three times more likely than men to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis and there are varying degrees of severity. A similar form of arthritis, called juvenile arthritis, can also affect children.1
Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 400,0002 Australians and between 40,000 and 80,000 New Zealanders.3,4 It is the second most common type of arthritis after osteoarthritis.2
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Swelling, pain and heat in the joints
- Stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning
- Persistent fatigue
- Sleeping difficulties caused by the pain
- Weak muscles
Joints on both sides of the body are usually affected.1
How is it diagnosed and managed?
It can be difficult, and often takes time to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as the symptoms can be similar to other types of arthritis. If a doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis a patient will be referred to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in arthritis. Your doctor will diagnose rheumatoid arthritis from your symptoms, a physical examination and various tests.
With early diagnosis and the right treatment, most people with rheumatoid arthritis can lead full and active lives. A rheumatologist will tailor treatment according to symptoms and the severity of the disease. Medicines include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroid medicines or injections
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biological DMARDs, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors5
Where can I get more information?
Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional, or visit the following websites:
1 Better Health Channel http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rheumatoid_arthritis?open. Accessed 23 September 2009.
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. ‘A picture of rheumatoid arthritis in Australia.’ Arthritis Series, Number 9. March 2009.
3 Southern Cross Health Insurance, http://www.southerncross.co.nz/index.cfm?DD892B84-95A7-47F2-AB84-B1E5D6EBD14D. Accessed 24 September 2009.
4 Statistics New Zealand. Population Clock. http://www.stats.govt.nz/methods_and_services/population_clock.aspx. Accessed 11 November 2009
5 Arthritis Australia http://www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/images/stories/documents/info_sheets/english/colour/Rheumatoid%20Arthritis.pdf. Accessed 23 September 2009.