Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with RA appear to have a higher risk of developing cancers of the lymph nodes, known as lymphomas. In the past, studies have shown that the risk of developing lymphoma appears to be greater in patients who have more severe inflammation and in those with a longer duration of RA. The reasons for this [...]

Surveys of large groups of people show that individuals with RA have twice the rate of periodontal disease as people of the same age, sex, and socioeconomic status who do not have RA. Periodontal disease affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth. These tissues include the gums (gingiva), the bones that form the [...]

Although they are rare, joint infections do occur sometimes. It is important to know about this potential complication for two reasons. First, among all of the many types of arthritis, arthritis caused by infections results in the most rapid destruction of joints. In some cases, a joint can be totally destroyed after only a few [...]

Infections are a frequent complication in people with RA. Their risk for developing lung infections or pneumonia is also increased, which constitutes a serious problem. In medical studies, investigators have found that people with RA were nearly twice as likely as people without RA to develop infections, even after adjusting the rates for age, gender, [...]

I’ve heard that people with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to heart disease. Is that true? Yes, patients with RA have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In particular, RA is associated with a 40% increased risk for myocardial infarction (heart attack) and a 60% increased risk for congestive heart failure (CHF). The [...]

Anemia—an abnormally low number of red blood cells in your bloodstream—is a common complication of RA. Indeed, of all the problems associated with RA that are not related to joints, anemia is the most common. It is estimated to occur in 30% to 60% of all people with RA. Anemia tends to occur more frequently [...]

Yes, RA can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in “thinner,” weaker bones that are more prone to fractures. It is a silent disease, however: A person can’t feel that his or her bones are getting less dense. Osteoporosis becomes obvious only when [...]

Most people with RA do not develop eye problems because of their RA, although approximately 25% of patients with RA will complain of some eye symptoms. The majority of these eye complaints is mild and requires only symptomatic treatment. A very small number of patients develop severe eye inflammation that can affect their vision. These [...]

I have a bump on my elbow that my doctor says is a rheumatoid nodule. What is a rheumatoid nodule? A rheumatoid nodule is a bump in the skin that is found in approximately 25% of people with RA. In fact, identifying a rheumatoid nodule in a person who has recently developed arthritis can help [...]

Depression occurs frequently in the general population and even more frequently in individuals with chronic diseases such as RA. The pain and disability associated with RA has a detrimental effect on the person’s lifestyle and ability to cope with daily life. RA is frequently associated with depression or anxiety; in fact, depression occurs in 20% [...]

Some patients with RA may develop dry eyes and a dry mouth, but these are not unusual symptoms linked only with this disease. Indeed, nearly one third of all elderly people—with or without RA—will report dry eyes and dry mouth to their physician. Symptoms of dryness can result from the aging process or from taking [...]

An exceedingly rare complication of prolonged, untreated RA is an inflammation of the arteries in the brain. People who experience this problem can present with symptoms similar to a stroke, such as weakness or numbness of their arms or legs. This condition can be treated with medications such as corticosteroids. Fatigue, malaise, and depression are [...]

RA can affect the lungs and the lining of the lungs, a complication referred to as rheumatoid lung disease. Rheumatoid lung disease occurs in approximately 25% of all patients with RA. Although RA occurs more commonly in women, men with RA seem to get rheumatoid lung disease more frequently. Other risk factors for this problem [...]

Fatigue is a common feature of RA and occurs in most patients. As individuals with RA know all too well, fatigue is different from drowsiness. Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy, whereas drowsiness is a lack of alertness and a feeling that you need to sleep. In other words, fatigue [...]