Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as a diffuse connective tissue disease.
● Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin.
● It is classified as a diffuse connective tissue disease and is chronic in nature.
● It is characterized by diffuse inflammation and degeneration in the connective
tissues.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis is brief and concise.
● Autoimmune reaction. In RA, the autoimmune reaction primarily occurs in the
synovial tissue.
● Phagocytosis. Phagocytosis produces enzymes within the joint.
● Collagen breakdown. The enzymes break down collagen, causing edema,
proliferation of the synovial membrane, and ultimately pannus formation.
● Damage. Pannus destroys cartilage and erodes the bone.
● Consequences. The consequences are loss of articular surfaces and joint motion.
● Degenerative changes. Muscle fibers undergo degenerative changes, and tendon
and ligament elasticity and contractile power are lost.
, ●
Statistics and Incidences
Rheumatoid arthritis is common worldwide.
● Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the population worldwide.
● The ratio of females to male with RA is between 2:1 and 4:1.
Causes
Diffuse connective tissue diseases have unknown causes, but they are also thought to be the
result of immunologic abnormalities.
● Genetics. Researchers have shown that people with a specific gene marker called
the HLA shared epitope have a fivefold greater chance of developing rheumatoid
arthritis than do people without the marker.
● Infectious agents. Infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses may trigger the
development of the disease in a person whose genes make them more likely to get
it.
● Female hormones. 70% of people with RA are women, and this occurs because of
the fluctuations of the female hormones.
● Environmental factors. Environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke,
air pollution, and insecticides.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as a diffuse connective tissue disease.
● Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin.
● It is classified as a diffuse connective tissue disease and is chronic in nature.
● It is characterized by diffuse inflammation and degeneration in the connective
tissues.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis is brief and concise.
● Autoimmune reaction. In RA, the autoimmune reaction primarily occurs in the
synovial tissue.
● Phagocytosis. Phagocytosis produces enzymes within the joint.
● Collagen breakdown. The enzymes break down collagen, causing edema,
proliferation of the synovial membrane, and ultimately pannus formation.
● Damage. Pannus destroys cartilage and erodes the bone.
● Consequences. The consequences are loss of articular surfaces and joint motion.
● Degenerative changes. Muscle fibers undergo degenerative changes, and tendon
and ligament elasticity and contractile power are lost.
, ●
Statistics and Incidences
Rheumatoid arthritis is common worldwide.
● Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the population worldwide.
● The ratio of females to male with RA is between 2:1 and 4:1.
Causes
Diffuse connective tissue diseases have unknown causes, but they are also thought to be the
result of immunologic abnormalities.
● Genetics. Researchers have shown that people with a specific gene marker called
the HLA shared epitope have a fivefold greater chance of developing rheumatoid
arthritis than do people without the marker.
● Infectious agents. Infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses may trigger the
development of the disease in a person whose genes make them more likely to get
it.
● Female hormones. 70% of people with RA are women, and this occurs because of
the fluctuations of the female hormones.
● Environmental factors. Environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke,
air pollution, and insecticides.
