1. Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the RA Quiz
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises Slideshow

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.

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In this Article

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts
• What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
• What are causes and risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis?
• What are rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs?
• What are complications of rheumatoid disease?
• How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
• "First-line" rheumatoid arthritis medications
• "Second-line" or "slow-acting" rheumatoid arthritis drugs
• What are newer treatments for rheumatoid arthritis?
• What about rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy?
• Rheumatoid arthritis diet and other treatments
• What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
• Can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?
• What research is being done on rheumatoid arthritis?
• Where can people get additional information on rheumatoid arthritis?
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow
• Take the RA Quiz
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises Slideshow
• Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
• Rheumatoid Arthritis FAQs
• Patient Comments: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Diagnosis
• Patient Comments: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Early Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Prognosis
• Patient Comments: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Experience
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Index

Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, its inflammation can affect organs and areas of the body other than the joints. Inflammation of the glands of the eyes and mouth can cause dryness of these areas and is referred to as Sjögren's syndrome. Dryness of the eyes can lead to corneal abrasion. Inflammation of the white parts of the eyes (the sclerae) is referred to as scleritis and can be very dangerous to the eye. Rheumatoid inflammation of the lung lining (pleuritis) causes chest pain with deep breathing, shortness of breath, or coughing. The lung tissue itself can also become inflamed, scarred, and sometimes nodules of inflammation (rheumatoid nodules) develop within the lungs. Inflammation of the tissue (pericardium) surrounding the heart, called pericarditis, can cause a chest pain that typically changes in intensity when lying down or leaning forward. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increase risk for heart attack. Rheumatoid disease can reduce the number of red blood cells (anemia) and white blood cells. Decreased white cells can be associated with an enlarged spleen (referred to as Felty's syndrome) and can increase the risk of infections. The risk of lymph gland cancer (lymphoma) is higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially in those with sustained active joint inflammation. Firm lumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules) can occur around the elbows and fingers where there is frequent pressure. Even though these nodules usually do not cause symptoms, occasionally they can become infected. Nerves can become pinched in the wrists to cause carpal tunnel syndrome. A rare, serious complication, usually with longstanding rheumatoid disease, is blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis). Vasculitis can impair blood supply to tissues and lead to tissue death (necrosis). This is most often initially visible as tiny black areas around the nail beds or as leg ulcers.