Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis is more than just the pain associated with other forms of arthritis. It is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis can progress to the point that inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, causing more pain, and loss of movement. Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur.

RA is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical if you want to continue living a productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery.

Chronic Inflammatory Disease Tips by Dr. Shelby Dames, M.D.

— If you have any symptoms of RA, be seen quickly.
— A delay of even a few weeks can make a big difference.
— If treatment is delayed, control may be more difficult.
— Damage from RA cannot be reversed.
— New medication makes it possible for most patients to respond to treatment.
— More options are available than ever before.

Making a diagnosis

Diagnosing a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult as there is no single test that can definitively prove the RA exists.

"Blood tests are not conclusive on their own in diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr. Shelby Dames, M.D., Rheumatologist at McKay Dee Hospital Center in Ogden. "There are many factors and symptoms that need to be considered in order to make a diagnosis."

Symptoms of RA are different than those of other forms of arthritis. Namely in their duration and intensity. These symptoms include swelling, stiffness and warmth where the fingers and toes attach. Also pain in the wrist, as well as the joints in the middle of fingers, that lasts 30 minutes to an hour.

"If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to be seen by your doctor quickly," said Dr. Dames. "A delay in treatment for even a few weeks can make a dramatic difference in the ability to treat this disease and can be more difficult to get this serious condition under control."

New medications make it possible for more patients to be treated, and make more options available to them.