Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to the group of autoimmune diseases, but its causes remain unknown. The patient’s body produces antibodies directed against its own tissues provoking a strong inflammatory reaction.

The main tissue that is targeted is the synovial membrane which secretes the joints’ lubricant liquid: the synovial fluid. Under the impact of the inflammatory reaction, it thickens, leading to an erosion of cartilage. The joint becomes increasingly damaged and is gradually replaced by tissue which joins the two ends of the bone which make up the joint. The latter action is responsible for reduced joint mobility.

The inflammation also damages the binding that forms the joint (it slackens) and leads to longer-term symmetrical deformation of the joint under the effect of repeated movements.

The development of rheumatoid arthritis is manifested most often by flare-ups during which one can observe :

• swelling of the joints,
• stiffness of the joints which are difficult to use on awakening,
• the onset of constant pain during flare-ups which wakes patients up during their sleep.

If left untreated, the succession of these flare-ups leads to deformation of the joints and the disease spreads to other locations around the body.

The natural progression of the disease includes flare-ups varying in duration and intensity, interspersed with remissions (disease disappears but returns at treatment discontinuation) unpredictable, gradually destroying the cartilage and tendons. In rare cases, the disease can stabilised. 

The diagnosis of the disease is not always easy in the beginning because the signs may suggest other diseases and it is often necessary to make additional tests (blood tests, x-rays).

Signs of inflammation are often revealed in the blood: increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and a discrete anemia (low hemoglobin).

The positivity of the latex test or the Waaler reaction or "rheumatoid factor" and the presence in the blood of anti-CCP are strong arguments in favor of the diagnosis. This is known as "HIV positive for rheumatoid factor," not to be confused with the HIV status of AIDS patients that is unrelated.

Initial x-rays are often normal at diagnosis but can already show abnormalities joints especially hands and feet.
With MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Nuclear) and ultrasound, we can see some early lesions.

Different types of treatments are prescribed with the aim to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow the onset of joint damage, preserve joint function and improve quality of life.

Symptomatic treatments

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (cortisone) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain
• and inflammation. Analgesics relieve pain.

Neither one nor the other act on the progression of the disease.

Prophylactic treatment

• They are used for prolonged periods to reduce the progression of the disease.
• They are of a different nature and rheumatologists choose the most appropriate treatment  depending on the severity of RA, history and contraindications of the patient.

Among these treatments, biotherapy is the most recent. It acts specifically on certain substances released by the immune system such as TNF-alpha.
These drugs administered subcutaneously or intravenously may have side effects. Medical surveillance for these treatments is therefore of utmost importance. It relies in particular on regular blood tests.

Local treatments
They are also prescribed to prevent the appearance of deformity and relieve pain: injections of corticosteroids, synovectomy, removal of the synovium (synovectomy) and surgery (prosthetic arthroplasty, tendon repair).

The non-drug treatments
Physical therapy may be prescribed in addition to drug treatments to preserve or restore joint mobility and muscle strength.
Occupational therapy, prescribed by the physician, the patient learns to make the best daily actions made difficult by the disease.
Braces, which serve to maintain and to immobilize the joints, can reduce pain and inflammation and, perhaps, to limit the appearance of deformations.