Rheumatoid arthritis (rue-ma-TOYD arth-RITE-tis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans. The disease occurs when the body’s immune system – which normally protects from us from infection – mistakenly attacks the synovium, the thin membrane that lines the joints. The result can be joint damage, pain, inflammation, loss of function and disability.
The joints most commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis are those of the hands, feet, wrists, knees, elbows, knees and ankles. Joint involvement is usually symmetrical, meaning if one joint is affected the same joint on the opposite side of the body is affected as well. The disease can also affect many organs, including the skin, heart, blood vessels and lungs.
Although rheumatoid arthritis is chronic, its symptoms can come and go. Periods of mild disease activity can be punctuated by flares, or periods or more intense disease activity and symptoms. In some cases, with appropriate treatment, the disease may become inactive and symptoms may go away completely.
What is an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease is one that results when the body’s immune system – its natural system of defense against intruders such as viruses, bacteria and fungi – mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.
There are many autoimmune diseases, including lupus, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, affecting many different tissues of the body.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the primary site of the attack is the synovium, the thin layer of tissue lining the joints. But the immune system may also attack other tissues, such as the lungs and the lining of the heart.
