Rheumatoid arthritis: diagnosis and therapy

AUTHORS : Salnikova T.V.

RELEVANT UNIVERSITIES : LLC “RAZUM”, Moscow, Russia

YEAR : 2019 | Category : Educational

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the severe systemic pathologies of connective tissue, which significantly reduces the quality of life and can cause disability of the patient even in the early stages of the development of the disease. This autoimmune joint process is very difficult to treat and can last for years. Inflammation in the joints that accompany rheumatoid arthritis leads to their deformation, poor mobility and limited range of motion. In the pathological process, mainly small joints are involved, the lesion occurs according to the erosive-destructive type, that is, the articular surfaces are destroyed.

The reasons influencing the onset and development of rheumatoid arthritis are not fully understood. It is believed that the disease can occur in patients with a hereditary predisposition who have had some types of infections. In their blood, immune complexes are formed, which are deposited in the joints and cause damage. Also, the effect of stress, hypothermia, hyperinsolation, intoxication and other reasons is considered as a triggering factor.