Rheumatoid Arthritis Week takes place this week
This week marks Rheumatoid Arthritis Week, a week dedicated to increasing awareness of the disease that affects over 690,000 people across the UK.
It is a common misconception that arthritis is simply a condition of the elderly, a consequence of age and subsequent wear and tear of the joints. However, Rheumatoid Arthritis, the second most common form of arthritis in the UK, is often far less understood.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes discomfort and swelling in the joints, typically the wrists and knuckles. The disease is caused by white blood cells and antibody proteins, which fight infection. They escape into the joints, attacking the cell lining, which causes the joints to become tender and stiff, particularly first thing in the morning.
Unlike the wider known form osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease associated with ageing, rheumatoid arthritis, can occur at any age. In fact, there are around 12,000 children under the age of sixteen with a juvenile form of the disease, while the condition is three timesmore prevalent in women.
Rheumatoid arthritis can result in severe disability and permanent joint damage. Identifying symptoms early on means patients can manage the disease effectively and prevent further joint damage.
KEY SYMPTOMS:
- Swelling of the joints
- Stiffness and pain in the morning which can last until the afternoon
- Unexplained weight loss
- Flu-like symptoms
- Unexplained tiredness
Professor Simon Bowman, Consultant Rheumatologist at London Bridge Hospital explains: “Although the symptoms are typical, they can vary a lot from person to person – from very mild, slowly developing features to a rapid explosive onset. In some cases it comes on so suddenly that people struggle to get out of bed. We advise that anybody with a swollen joint is referred for specialist advice. If someone has significant morning stiffness or tenderness across the knuckles this could also indicate the condition. A family history of rheumatoid arthritis can also be important.”
Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be established through a simple blood test. Professor Bowman continues: “ There are two critical antibody blood tests – the rheumatoid factor which has been tested for many years and a newer test, the anti-CCP antibody which has been used for the past 5 years or so. If both of these are positive it makes rheumatoid arthritis very likely. If they are both negative it doesn’t always rule it out. The other blood tests that can give a clue are the two markers for bodily inflammation the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and the CRP (C-reactive protein).”
There is no known cause for rheumatoid arthritis but it has been found that genetics may play a role. Environmental factors such as smoking and pollution are also known as possible aggravators for the disease, as populations which are exposed to both of these contaminations are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
There are many treatments available for patients to manage rheumatoid arthritissuccessfully and new developments have enabled many to lead a normal life.
Professor Bowman expands: “Fortunately we have a wide range of good tablet and other therapies available. The most common medication used nowadays is a drug called methotrexate which is a tablet taken once a week. If this and other similar tablets don’t work then over the past 10 years a whole range of ‘biologic’ medications that target different molecules of the immune system in the blood have been developed. Some of these can be given by injection using a ‘pen’ like device – a bit like an insulin pen. As a result of using older medications more effectively and the raft of new medications the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been revolutionised. Most people with the diagnosis now lead normal active lives. It is a real medical success story!”