Your risk of developing heart problems, hypertension, fatty liver, lung illness, and possibly cancer increases if you have rheumatoid arthritis, which also affects your joints.
Every year on May 20, there is a celebration of World Autoimmune Arthritis Day to increase understanding of the various forms of autoimmune arthritis. An instance of autoimmune arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which the body’s immune system destroys its own tissues, including the joints. Among other things, arthritic symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, loss of hand function, difficulties moving, and sleep issues. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than just your joints; it also has an impact on several parts of your health, placing you at risk for lung illness, cancer, hypertension, fatty liver, cardiovascular problems, and more.
Arthritis and its various forms
“Arthritis is a serious medical disorder that causes people to experience excruciating pain and stiffness in their joints. It is characterized by joint inflammation. It includes a broad spectrum of conditions that impact the connective tissues, surrounding tissues, and joints. Over 160 different forms of arthritis exist, and they can be brought on by a number of things, including drugs, autoimmune reactions, infections, trauma, crystals, or cancer. The two most prevalent types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the latter of which is an autoimmune illness that primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 60. Rheumatoid arthritis affects one in 100 people in India alone, according to Dr. Preet Pal Thakur, co-founder of Glamyo Health.
Rheumatoid arthritis definition
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition in which the immune system of the patient attacks its own healthy cells, resulting in painful joints, swelling in the affected bodily joints, which limits activity, and deformed joints. Hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, and other joints are the ones it most frequently affects. The lining of the joints becomes inflamed as a result of persistent inflammation, harming the tissues in the joints. It will result in persistent or chronic discomfort, limited activity, and deformed joints. According to Dr. Santosh Kumar, if the condition is not addressed, it may potentially impact other body tissues, resulting in systemic problems such as interstitial lung disease, bone marrow involvement, cardiovascular involvement leading to cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis.
Numerous rheumatoid arthritis side effects
“Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that not only affects the joints but also has an effect on a patient’s overall health. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with RA is a major cause for concern. Numerous studies have revealed that RA patients have a greater frequency of CVD than those in general. This increased risk is significantly influenced by the chronic inflammation that is a hallmark of RA. According to Dr. Sandeep Surendran, Consultant, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, it causes endothelial dysfunction, hastens atherosclerosis development, and raises the risk of cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes.
Additionally, RA patients frequently have higher rates of classic CVD risk factors such hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking. Prioritizing early detection and active therapy of these conventional risk factors is essential to effectively addressing the increased risk of CVD in RA patients. It’s also crucial to control RA inflammation properly. To guarantee thorough management and better results for RA patients, rheumatologists and cardiologists must work together and provide integrated care, continues Dr. Sandeep.
Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to fatal illnesses
Diseases that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to include:
1. Knee replacements and osteoarthritis in rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis and the requirement for knee replacement surgery are become more likely by RA. People who have RA are more likely to develop secondary osteoarthritis because the continuous inflammation in the disease damages joints and causes cartilage to deteriorate. Studies have shown that RA patients had a higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis than the overall population. Due to RA’s aggressive nature, joint damage can become more severe and may eventually require knee replacement surgery. However, managing inflammation and lowering the risk of secondary osteoarthritis are crucial to controlling RA and may help to delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
2. Felty’s syndrome
It’s an odd side effect brought on by rheumatoid arthritis. This occurs when your white blood cell count drops and your spleen enlarges. It might make lymphoma more likely.
3. Cardiovascular Illness
A greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) exists in RA patients. The primary killer in India is cardiovascular disease. Rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation has the potential to harm blood arteries and induce CVD. To lower their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, people with rheumatoid arthritis should check their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
4. Fatty liver disease
Along with problems with the joints, RA has also been linked to a higher risk of fatty liver disease. The development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is facilitated by metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which are brought on by chronic inflammation in RA. NAFLD is more common among RA patients than in the general population, according to studies. Furthermore, some treatments for RA that are frequently prescribed, like corticosteroids and methotrexate, can increase the risk of fatty liver even more. In order to reduce the risk and progression of fatty liver disease in RA patients, it is essential to regularly assess liver function and adopt lifestyle changes, such as weight control and healthy eating practices.
5. Lung Issues
Rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation in your lungs. Pleuritis (also known as pleurisy), a disorder that makes breathing difficult, could occur from it. Your lungs may also develop rheumatoid nodules, which can cause problems including a collapsed lung, bloody coughing, infection, or pleural effusion, which is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of your lung and your chest cavity. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause interstitial lung disorders to manifest. These lung conditions result in lung tissue scarring and pulmonary hypertension, a high blood pressure condition that seriously damages the arteries in the heart and lungs.