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UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Rheumatology Program is among the nation’s leading clinical and research centers for rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Our ongoing advances in developing diagnostic tests and therapies for this chronic condition help to provide patients with the most up-to-date treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the bones and joints. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but researchers believe that heredity might contribute to the onset of the disease.
RA is one of the most damaging forms of arthritis and most commonly affects the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbow joints. Inflammation is typically symmetric, so the same joints are affected on both sides of the body.
RA affects adults of all ages and races, with women three times more likely than men to develop the condition. The disease usually arises in middle age but can start as young as age 16.
Juvenile inflammatory arthritis, or JIA, occurs in children 16 or younger. Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime, children often outgrow JIA.
UT Southwestern’s skilled rheumatologists work closely with their multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver comprehensive care to people with RA, collectively striving to:
RA symptoms can develop gradually or come on suddenly. Common symptoms include:
Less common symptoms include:
Patients with RA have an increased risk of osteoporosis (bone thinning).
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose RA in its early stages because symptoms can be very subtle and go undetected on X-rays or in blood tests.
In addition to taking a thorough medical history and performing a comprehensive physical examination, doctors might order diagnostic tests such as X-rays and blood tests to detect certain antibodies, such as a rheumatoid factor or an anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP). Providers might also check inflammatory markers.
People with four or more of these signs and symptoms may be diagnosed with RA:
UT Southwestern offers patients the best and latest in comprehensive care through all stages of treatment. We use a team approach when patients have other organ involvement (such as eyes and lungs).
The earlier an RA diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the more joint damage and impairment can be prevented.
RA medical treatments include:
Other ways to manage the condition include:
Specific RA treatment depends upon:
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