Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases, popularly called inflammatory rheumatism. Although its frequency varies, one in 200-400 people has the risk of developing the disease. Although it is slightly more common in women, there is no significant gender difference. Although RA is more common in women between the ages of 40-50, it can be seen in all ages and genders.
What are the Complaints of the Disease?
The disease generally has an insidious onset. The patient's complaints occur mainly at night and in the morning. Weakness and fatigue are often accompanied. A mild fever may also be present from time to time. Small joints of the hand and wrist are the most commonly affected areas. More rarely, the disease has a very rapid onset. While the patient has no complaints when he goes to bed at night, he wakes up in the morning with all his joints swollen and painful. Patients generally feel better 1-2 hours after getting up and moving in the morning. Sometimes, a single joint of the patient swells and then other joints begin to swell. Joints usually show symmetrical involvement.
Although RA is predominantly a joint disease, it can affect many organs. It may cause dryness in the eyes, dry mouth, and lung involvement. Sometimes, it can involve the vessels and cause a severe condition that we call vasculitis.
If left untreated, RA can cause problems ranging from serious joint deformities, disability and disability.
How is the Disease Diagnosed? ?
The form of the patient's complaints, joint involvement and onset are of great importance in the diagnosis of the disease. In other words, the information given by the patient is very important. The joints affected by the disease are usually Since they will be the same, diagnosis is usually not difficult. However, in some cases, it may present with rare joint involvement.
Blood tests are very useful in diagnosing RA. However, blood tests are not only helpful in making the diagnosis, but also in monitoring the disease and evaluating the side effects that may develop due to the medications used. Tests that are not very specific for the disease, such as inflammation tests, are often elevated. However, tests called rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-ccp) are more specific for the disease. Approximately 70-80% of the patients have these tests positive.
How is the Treatment of the Disease?
In the treatment of RA, medication is used. We can evaluate it under three headings as non-drug and surgical methods.
Non-drug methods generally include losing excess weight, exercise and quitting smoking, which we know increases the severity of the disease. Smoking definitely increases the severity of the disease.
There have been huge changes in RA drug treatment in the last 10 years.
Developments in recent years have mainly been in the field of drugs called biological treatments. These drugs aim to stop inflammation by targeting a cytokine or cell in the body.
It is not predictable how much of these drugs will be used. It usually needs to be used for a long time. After the disease goes into remission, the doses or numbers of medications are manipulated.
Surgical intervention is required in some selected patients. However, as I said, this is valid for a very small number of patients.
The most important point to be mentioned in terms of treatment is which medication is used for this disease. Beyond the use of Cin, proper follow-up is regular check-up and follow-up by a rheumatologist.
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