Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin that causes chronic inflammation and degeneration in connective tissues like joints, resulting in their diffuse swelling and stiffness. While its exact cause is unknown, risk factors include genetic predisposition, female sex, family history, smoking, infections, and immune system and metabolic abnormalities. Treatment focuses on suppressing the immune system using disease-modifying drugs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, TNF-a inhibitors, and antimalarial medications to manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of
unknown origin.
It is classified as a diffuse connective tissue disease and is
chronic in nature.
It is characterized by diffuse inflammation and degeneration in
the connective tissues.
3. ETIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS
1. The exact cause of RA is unknown
2. Genetic factors
3. Sex:-women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis then man
4. family history
5. hormonal factors
6. A long term smoking
7. Infection
8. Immunological response
9. Metabolic and biochemical abnormalities
16. Medical management
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
It is used to treat moderate to severe RA, Medicatio include those
used to suppress immune systems
Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressants
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha(TNF-a)
Antimalarial medications.
