Despite what most people think rheumatoid arthritis is not just something for old people to worry about.
In fact 64% of people questioned in a recent survey wrongly believed that rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly diagnosed in elderly people
The most common age of onset is young people in their 30s and 40s and three times more women than men are affected.
The cause of RA is unknown. Whilst there is no one single gene which is responsible for the development of RA, it is generally accepted that infectious, genetic, and hormonal factors can all play a role.
People with severe forms of the disease may need treatment with disease modifying drugs (anti-TNFs)
Sarah from Leeds is 25 and has had RA since the age of 16. As a teenager she enjoyed sports and dismissed her frequent muscle aches as being due to over-exertion. One day she noticed her shoulder had swelled up significantly and went to her GP who referred her for an x-ray. Sarah was eventually referred to a rheumatologist who was able to diagnose RA.
Sarah received a range of treatments for her disease, but found that they were either ineffective, or that she would become immune to them over a period of time. Two years ago, Sarah enrolled upon a trial to receive a new treatment, MabThera.
“The new treatment made a substantial and noticeable difference. With RA simple things that we all take for granted are painful and tiring, such as walking, shopping or even getting out of the car. Now I’m taking MabThera I find there’s not a lot I can’t do, whereas before there was very little I could do without a lot of pain.”
Common symptoms of RA
Fatigue
Morning stiffness
Muscle aches
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Redness on skin
Inflammation
Painful, progressive restriction of movement