Rheumatoid arthritis commonly occurs at what age?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by pain in multiple joints throughout the body. The causes of the disease are not yet clear, but it is believed to be related to a combination of genetic, infectious, and environmental factors. The main pathological basis of the disease is synovitis. It commonly occurs in individuals aged between 35 and 50, and is more prevalent in females, with a significantly higher incidence rate in women than in men. Additionally, this disease can lead to disability and loss of work capacity. Therefore, early diagnosis and standard treatment are crucial. Once the condition stabilizes, the dosage should be gradually reduced to maintain the disease in a stable state.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in the hand

The key hand features of rheumatoid arthritis primarily manifest as symmetrical joint swelling and pain in both hands in the early stages. These swollen and painful joints include both wrist joints, bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints, and bilateral proximal interphalangeal joints. Rheumatoid arthritis rarely affects the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands. In the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis, due to the destruction of the hand joints by synovitis, some patients may develop deformities in the hand joints, commonly including ulnar deviation, swan neck deformities, or boutonniere deformities. Some patients may experience significant stiffness leading to limited mobility of the hand joints.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What should you pay attention to with rheumatoid arthritis?

Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications to control the condition, relieve clinical symptoms, delay the onset of joint deformities, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. These are the main goals of treatment. Therefore, in the treatment process, the following points should be noted: First, do not stop taking medication on your own. After the condition stabilizes, reduce the medication slowly under the guidance of a physician; Second, diagnosis and treatment should be as early as possible to prevent the appearance of joint deformities; Third, during treatment, it's important to periodically recheck blood routine, liver and kidney functions, and electrolytes; Fourth, avoid excessive fatigue. However, one should not be inactive; physical exercise is an important part of the treatment process for rheumatoid arthritis; Fifth, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid getting cold, and avoid the intake of raw and cold foods. These are some important precautions to take.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic damage to multiple joints with an unclear cause. Thus, it cannot be cured, meaning it cannot be completely healed. Treatment can only alleviate joint pain and morning stiffness through medication, delay the onset of complications, reduce bone damage, decrease disability rates, and improve quality of life. This is the comprehensive purpose of treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis and standardized treatment of this disease are essential to prevent joint deformities and to maintain quality of life.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is divided into general treatment and pharmacological treatment. General treatment mainly involves avoiding overexertion, having a light diet, and not staying up late. Pharmacological treatment is mainly divided into treatment during the acute flare-up phase and the remission phase. The acute phase focuses on anti-inflammatory and pain relief treatments, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the first choice, such as etoricoxib, meloxicam, or celecoxib. If the effect is not satisfactory, low-dose corticosteroid therapy may be combined. In the remission phase, slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs are preferred, such as methotrexate, leflunomide, or sulfasalazine. If the slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs are not effective, biologic agents such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists or JAK inhibitors may be combined.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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How to cure rheumatoid arthritis?

Firstly, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple joints throughout the body and has an unclear etiology, meaning it cannot be cured. It can only be managed with medications to control the progression of the disease, alleviate symptoms, and delay the appearance of joint deformities. Therefore, it is essential to undergo standardized and formal treatment. Once the condition stabilizes, the dosage of the medication should gradually be reduced to maintain stability. Do not believe in folk remedies or rumors that claim this disease can be cured; it cannot be cured. During the treatment process, it is important to regularly monitor complete blood counts, liver and kidney functions, electrolytes, and other relevant indicators to avoid damage to liver and kidney functions due to long-term use of medications.