By Ryan Acosta, Staff Writer

One of the few diseases that can cause serious disability is arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5% of American adults 18 to 64 years of age are unable to fully perform normal work due to arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the common forms of arthritis that can cause serious disability. Latest studies show that approximately 0.6 percent of Americans have rheumatoid arthritis.

Persons of all ages can be affected with rheumatoid arthritis. Even children can acquire rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis is far more common in the elderly. At the latest estimates, elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis affects 2% of Americans who are at least 60 years old.

Cause

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system is programmed to send out killer cells to tag and attack foreign entities, such as, bacteria and viruses, once they enter our body. Surrounding human cells are normally left unscathed. But once an autoimmune disease sets in, the immune system becomes overactive and sends out immune cells to attack the body’s own cells.

In rheumatoid arthritis, abnormally aggressive white blood cells attack the soft tissue membrane that lines non-cartilaginous surfaces within the joints. Inflammation in the affected joint then follows.

What exactly causes the immune system to take an abnormal action is not yet known.

Symptoms

The most common sign of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the joints. At the onset of the disease, joints become swollen and tender. Affected areas usually acquire redness and are warm to the touch. Pain and stiffness lasting for about half an hour in the morning is normal. Fatigue and occasional fevers may also affect the patient. Compared to osteoarthritis, the pattern of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is always symmetrical. Quite often, the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand are inflamed.

As the disease progresses, muscles, ligaments, and tendons near the affected areas become weak and unable to function normally. Cartilage and bone within the affected joint are usually destroyed by constant inflammation of the synovium.

Treatment

Since little is known regarding the main reason for rheumatoid arthritis, no single treatment has been formulated yet to permanently cure the disease. Current treatments only aim to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Pain relieving analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, and cortisone therapy are the common treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

Research on Rheumatoid Arthritis

As of the moment, scientists are focusing on debunking the underlying cause of rheumatoid arthritis and discovering effective treatment.

Some researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are conducting genetic studies aimed at understanding genetic factors that renders some people prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis. However, much is yet to be discovered as to why rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in the elderly.

While the exact mechanisms and causes of rheumatoid arthritis are yet to be debunked, some recent developments on rheumatoid arthritis treatment research are very promising.

For instance, it has been demonstrated by researchers at the Northwestern University of Chicago that stem cell therapy can be an effective rheumatoid arthritis treatment. In the said study, a 52 year old woman recovered from the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis a year after being transplanted with stem cells from her sister.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a seemingly enigmatic and unconquerable disease as of this time. However, the future for those with rheumatoid arthritis, especially the elderly, is not bleak. Dedicated scientists are currently conducting various studies that would surely help alleviate the suffering of millions of elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients in the future.

References:

Burt, Richard K, et al. Induction of Remission of Severe and Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis by Allogeneic Mixed Chimerism. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 50.8 (2004): 2466-2470.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis Related Statistics. 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm.

Helmick, C.G., Felson, D.T., Lawrence, R.C., Gabriel, S., Hirsch, R., Kwoh, C.K., Liang, M.H., Maradit, Kremers, H., Mayes, M.D., Merkel, P.A., Pillemer, S.R., Reveille, J.D., and Stone, J.H. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions in the United States. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 58.1 (2008):15-25.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Handout on Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis. 2009.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp.

Rasch E.K., Hirsch R., Paulose-Ram R., and Hochberg M.C. Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Persons 60 Years of Age and Older in the United States: Effect of Different Methods of Case Classification. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 48 (2003): 917-926.

Posted under: Arthritis.

Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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