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Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by synovial inflammation, often accompanied by pain, swelling, and morning stiffness. The disease usually begins with symmetrical joint involvement, and without intervention, it may lead to joint destruction and loss of function.
In Europe and the United States, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is 0.5% to 1%, with more female patients and higher early diagnosis rates; in Southeast Asia, prevalence is about 0.2% to 0.6%. Due to limitations in medical resources and awareness, patients often delay treatment, resulting in higher joint damage rates.
Rheumatoid arthritis not only damages joints but can also lead to systemic multi-organ issues, such as cardiovascular disease, lung involvement, and osteoporosis. Chronic inflammation causes joint deformities and functional loss, increases psychological burden and dependence in daily life, and seriously affects patients’ social participation and self-care ability.
1. Morning stiffness
Stiffness occurs after waking up and gradually improves with activity. It is a typical early manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Morning stiffness often lasts more than one hour, reflecting high disease activity.
2. Symmetrical joint swelling and pain
Joints such as hands, wrists, and knees are often symmetrically affected. Pain is accompanied by swelling, worsens with activity, and does not fully resolve with rest.
3. Limited joint function
Inflammation and pain reduce joint range of motion, affecting daily activities such as gripping, walking, and bending elbows or knees. Severe cases may require assistive devices.
4. Synovial hyperplasia
Abnormal synovial tissue proliferation increases intra-articular pressure, further aggravating pain and swelling. Imaging may show joint space narrowing.
5. Joint deformities
Chronic inflammation destroys cartilage and bone, leading to irreversible deformities such as ulnar deviation and swan-neck deformity, which affect both appearance and function.
6. Systemic symptoms
Beyond joints, patients may experience fatigue, low-grade fever, and weight loss as systemic inflammatory responses, indicating high disease activity.
7. Subcutaneous nodules
Some patients develop firm, painless nodules under the skin, often located on extensor surfaces of joints, suggesting more severe or persistent disease activity.
8. Joint warmth
Affected joints may feel warm to the touch, indicating active inflammation, requiring timely adjustment of treatment plans to prevent structural damage.
9. Multi-system involvement
Symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations may occur, suggesting heart and lung involvement, requiring multidisciplinary evaluation and intervention.
Rheumatoid arthritis is complex, slow-progressing, and highly damaging. Timely recognition of typical symptoms and scientific diagnosis are key to preventing disability. Experts at United Life International Medical Center state that early intervention, personalized treatment, and continuous management can significantly improve patients’ quality of life and social functioning.
