Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune, inflammatory condition that chronically attacks the joints.  Rheumatoid arthritis is a very debilitating, disabling and painful disease.  This leads to significant loss of mobility around the affected joint mostly due to pain and overall joint destruction.  Often the person’s ability to work is eliminated around ten years after onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The actual cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown but is hypothesized to be due to either viral infections, bacterial infections, or allergic reactions.  Regardless of cause, the typical mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis is the immune response mistakenly identifies a host molecule inside the joint as foreign and activates the immune system.  Non-specific antibodies are formed and begin attacking this ‘foreign’ molecule.  In rheumatoid arthritis the molecue being attacked is a component of the synovium.  The synovium is the piece of the joint that permits smooth movements and lubricates the heads of the two bones comprising the joint.

At this stage of rheumatoid arthritis the immune response causes swelling within the joint and inflammation of the synovium.  Once these responses are begun, the synovium begins to thicken and the underlying cartilage and bone begin to disintegrate.  These cumulate in the joint destruction characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.

The other hypothesis is that the inflammation is caused by bacterial infections.  Specific organisms of the mycoplasma genus have been implicated.  This theory has very little support amongs rheumatoid arthritis experts but some do believe it as a possible component of a constellation of causes.

Regardless of cause, rheumatoid arthritis is painful and debilitating.  Rheumatoid arthritis is relentless in its progression and early detection means early treatment of the symptoms.  There is no catch all cure for rheumatoid arthritis though as more about the disease is understood, more can be done to find a cure.