The term “ARTHRITIS” is composed of two words “ARTHO” meaning Joint and “IT IS” meaning inflammation. So the word Arthritis denotes inflammation in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is derived from a Greek word, denoting watery and inflamed Joint. It is popularly known as RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a variety of Arthritis, which is an auto-immune (Our own immune system attacking the body) chronic inflammatory condition (Inflammation is a condition which arises as a result of the body’s reaction to external trauma or an infection which is usually characterized by redness, swelling, pain and rise in temperature) of the Joints affecting the synovial membrane, and over a period of time, leading to the destruction of the cartilage and bone and to the disfiguring of the joint, leading to dysfunction. The Stiffness and pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis aggravate with rest.

• Joint Pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth & redness are the primary symptoms associated with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis).
• Multiple joints are usually affected at the same time and so it is called a Polyarthritis. The joints that are usually affected are the joints of the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, shoulders, knees, hips, vertebral joints, the jaws as well.
• Early morning stiffness lasting over an hour is one of the typical symptoms of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis).
• Over a period of time, if the problem is not well controlled, the joints get disfigured and the patient loses the capacity to use the joint.
• RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) can also affect other organs like the Skin, Lungs, Kidneys, Liver, Bones, Blood, Heart and cardiovascular system.
• Low blood count is often an accompanying problem.
• It is sometimes associated with symptoms like fever, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite and loss of weight.

Anti-inflammatory and Pain killing medication remains the main stay in the management of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Disease modifying drugs like Steroids, Methotrexate, Hydro-chloroquine, Sulfasalazine, are useful in reducing inflammation of the joints and preventing damage to the joints. However they have to be used for extensive period of time and are associated with side effects like liver damage and severe digestive problems on long term use. A New class of drugs called as biological agents, comprising of Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha Blockers, IL-1 blocker and T cell co-stimulation blockers are recommended in the management of this condition. These injections are administered every month and are effective in controlling the inflammation but are to be used for extensive period of time. They are very expensive and also predispose the patient to infections especially Tuberculosis with long term usage. These factors severely limit the feasibility to use them widely.