The 3-year disability rate is as high as 70%, and it is not too late to understand the harm of rheumatoid arthritis

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, many people think it's a "senile disease" or even just a disease that causes joint pain.

In fact, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease mainly involving surrounding joints. If not treated in time, it will lead to joint deformity and loss of function.

The 3-year disability rate is as high as 70%!

01

Not only "senile disease", but also "preference for women over men"

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, the peak age of onset is 30 to 50 years old, and the male to female ratio is 1:3. Therefore, clinical rheumatoid arthritis patients are mostly young and middle-aged women.

With the continuous changes in life and work styles, the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is getting younger and younger, and it is increasing year by year. Clinically, there are even patients under the age of 16. Rheumatoid arthritis in this group is generally referred to as "juvenile rheumatoid arthritis", which is a common and frequent childhood rheumatoid disease.

Some data show that 75% of patients have bone destruction within 2 years of onset, and the 3-year disability rate of untreated patients is as high as 70%.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

02

Rheumatoid arthritis not only damages the joints, but also "implicates" the whole body. We must always be vigilant!

joint symptoms

Usually in the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis, there will be symmetrical swelling of the small joints of the hands or feet, morning stiffness or limited movement, and the symptoms will change from mild to severe, from less to more, and patients may even have multiple symptoms all over the body Sexual joint swelling and pain, in the long run, patients will experience loss of joint function and even joint deformity.

Extra-articular symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that not only affects the joints of the human body, but also affects various organs of the human body, such as the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, skin, etc., resulting in interstitial pneumonia, autoimmunity liver disease, etc.

03

"Walking Weather Forecast"

Many rheumatoid arthritis patients have encountered such a situation: the symptoms will worsen as soon as they encounter cold weather, which is actually a recurrence of rheumatoid arthritis or aggravation of inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis itself is a sterile inflammation, which is different from the inflammation caused by bacterial and viral infections that we know every day. This inflammation is caused by some endogenous substances secreted by our body's own cells, which are highly related to immune cells.

Scientists found that in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially around the synovial neovascularization, a member of immune cells, a cold-sensing protein in macrophages, was significantly increased.

Simply put, when the outside weather is cold (below 25°C), these immune cells with more cold-sensing proteins will be stimulated, secrete relevant antibodies, and induce cell apoptosis. These antibodies and the products released after apoptosis will directly or indirectly cause the occurrence or aggravation of inflammation.

As a result, inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis can flare up again or worsen as soon as the weather gets colder. It is very important for rheumatoid arthritis patients to pay attention to keeping warm, especially to avoid the stimulation of joints caused by low temperature.

Predisposing factors for rheumatoid arthritis

04

1?? Environmental factors

When we are infected with some pathogenic microorganisms in our daily life, such as some specific bacteria and viruses, it can induce the abnormality of our immune system.

2?? Genetic factors

Relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

3?? Abnormal autoimmune system

There are many factors that lead to the abnormality of our own immune system, such as some specific drugs, hormone foods, etc., when in some specific environment and genetic background, it will lead to the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.

4?? Bad living habits

Overwork, mental stress, lack of attention to nutritional balance and daily routine, smoking, sedentary, etc. may all induce rheumatoid arthritis.

05

Rheumatoid arthritis, how to deal with it?

Rheumatoid arthritis is first and foremost a medical disease. The vast majority of rheumatoid arthritis does not require surgery and mainly relies on conventional drug treatment. However, with the protracted course of rheumatoid arthritis, if the patient does not receive standardized diagnosis and treatment, it may cause joint deformity.

When this severe joint deformity or even disability occurs, surgery is required, such as meniscus replacement, total knee replacement, 3D printing knee replacement, etc.

Some patients may develop femoral head necrosis due to long-term use of glucocorticoids, and total hip replacement can also be performed surgically.

Expert reminder

Many rheumatic immune diseases can cause joint pain and arthritis. In addition to rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis, there are also well-known gout, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia syndrome.

If you have symptoms of joint discomfort, you must seek medical attention in time to investigate the cause, so as to avoid irreparable damage.

Original title: "The 3-year disability rate is as high as 70%! It's not too late to understand the dangers of rheumatoid arthritis! 》