What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common inflammatory types of arthritis. Although it generally tends to affect the hands and feet in a symmetrical pattern, it can affect any joint. Research into this condition has resulted in the development of specific medications, known as “biological agents and targeted synthetics,” that can successfully manage this illness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of the disease after osteoarthritis. In the case of RA, joint deterioration results from an autoimmune problem rather than wear-and-tear. Autoimmunity is a general term that refers to the condition when the body's immune system becomes overactive. The immune system is the part of the body that fights infection and it plays an important role in keeping the body healthy.
With autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body and, depending on which organ is affected, results in a unique set of symptoms. Autoimmune diseases include a wide range of conditions and are generally treated by rheumatologists.
What other types of arthritis are there?
There are many different types of arthritis. Examples include:
Infectious arthritis
Many types of infections can cause arthritis. When bacteria invade a joint, the joint can quickly become red, hot, and swollen. Patients generally develop fevers and medical care is required.
Viral and post-viral arthritis can result in slower, more indolent, and at times chronic forms of arthritis. Lyme disease can have many medical presentations and it can frequently affect the joints. Although previously more difficult to diagnose, testing for infectious arthritis has improved.
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory illness that tends to affect people over the age of 50. It generally causes severe pain and stiffness of the muscles in the shoulders and hips. The symptoms are often more severe in the morning.
Temporal arteritis
Patients with PMR sometimes have a condition called temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis (GCA), that is caused by inflammation of the arteries in the head. Symptoms can include headaches, scalp tenderness, pain with chewing, and vision loss.
GCA belongs to a group of conditions known as vasculitis. Vasculitis occurs when there’s inflammation of the blood vessels. In this group of diseases, a variety of symptoms occur depending on which blood vessels are involved.
Other forms of vasculitis include:
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- Microscopic polyangiitis
- Takayasu’s arteritis
- Henoch-Schönlein purpura
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Although these diseases differ in terms of what organs are affected, many of the treatments overlap.
How is inflammatory bowel disease associated with arthritis?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) typically includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These are diseases that target the gastrointestinal system. However, this group of diseases can affect many other organ systems as well.
Overwhelmingly, the most common involvement outside of the gastrointestinal system is the musculoskeletal system. A large number of patients with IBD have inflammation in their joints and spines. Other organ systems, including the eyes and skin, can also be a part of this group of illnesses.
Although many of the therapies used to treat inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis overlap and treat IBD, there are some medications that are used to treat inflammatory joint diseases that actually worsen Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. It’s important to coordinate co-management of these conditions by the rheumatologist and the gastroenterologist.
Diseases such as lupus and Sjögren's syndrome can also cause arthritis and joint pain.
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