Types of arthritis

Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints.
• Inflammation of joints is not limited to a specific region, but occurs systemically.
• Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms occur simultaneously in multiple joints throughout the body.
• Rheumatoid arthritis can affect more than just joints and damages a variety of body system, including the skin, lung, and heart.

Epidemiology

• Rheumatoid arthritis affects 0.5-1% of the population worldwide, with a female predominance of approximately 75%.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is markedly higher in the age between 40 and 50 years.
• According to Korean College of Rheumatology (2009), rheumatoid arthritis may occur in many people before their 30s (39%) or 20s (15%). (http://news.nate.com/view/20100409n13101)

Clinical manifestations

Diagnostic tests

Medications