Table of Contents

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)



Chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joints.

Epidemiology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women than in men.


Grading

see Ranawat Criterion.

Etiology

The cause of RA is not completely understood.

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of RA

Clinical features

It may result in deformed and painful joints, which can lead to loss of function. The disease may also have signs and symptoms in organs other than joints.

More than 85% of patients with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have radiographic evidence of C-spine involvement 1).

Diagnosis

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

Treatment

see Rheumatoid arthritis Treatment.

Complications

see Rheumatoid arthritis complications

Case series

Rheumatoid arthritis case series.

1)
Ranawat CS, O'Leary P, Pellicci P, et al. Cervical Spine Fusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Bone Joint Surg. 1979; 61A:1003–1010