Rheumatoid arthritis

RA; Arthritis - rheumatoid

• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Limited range of motion
• Deformities of hands and feet
• Round, painless nodules under the skin (usually a sign of more severe disease)
• Inflammation of the lung (pleurisy)
• Skin redness or inflammation
• Paleness
• Swollen glands
• Eye burning, itching, and discharge
• Numbness or tingling
• Anemia may occur due to failure of the bone marrow to produce enough new red cells.

Joint destruction may occur within 1-2 years after the appearance of the disease.

• Joint x-rays
• Rheumatoid factor test is positive in about 75% of people with symptoms
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is elevated
• CBC may show low hematocrit ( anemia ) or abnormal platelet counts
• C-reactive protein may be a positive indication for patients with no detectable rheumatoid factor
• Synovial fluid analysis