-
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Brief Overview of the Disease
A rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multiple joints and has a significant impact on patients’ lives. Genetic predisposition and various environmental factors, such as infections or stress, play a role in the development of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 0.5–1% of the population, making it a relatively common condition. It occurs particularly in women, most often among middle-aged individuals. The symptoms of the disease can vary, often starting suddenly with pronounced joint inflammation, but in many cases, complaints gradually appear in a latent form. The essence of rheumatoid arthritis is that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane of the joints, leading…