Rheumatoid arthritis is the main type of inflammatory arthritis. It is a chronic condition identified by pain and swelling in the joints, leading to reduction of movement, and the breakdown of bone and cartilage. Affecting between 1% and 3% of the population, it usually starts when people are between the ages of 30 and 50, and women are affected three times more often than men.

Other forms of arthritis include ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylitis, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosis (lupus), gout, psoriatic arthritis and Reiters syndrome.

Arthritis is often associated with older people, but can also affect children. This is called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile chronic arthritis or juvenile rheumatic arthritis. There are three main types:

1. Oligo-articular-onset JIA - only a few joints are affected, most commonly the knee. This type has good recovery rates and the joints are rarely affected in the long term. However, there is a risk of developing uveitis (inflammation of the eye), so children should have regular checks with an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
2. Polyarticular JIA (or polyarthritis) - many joints are inflamed, with symptoms very similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis. This kind of arthritis may continue into adult life; it may also go into a state of remission where all the symptoms disappear.
3. Systemic JIA - this affects the whole body and causes fever and rashes as well as inflamed joints.

The cause of JIA is unknown but theories include genetic factors, or viral infections. When people who have had JIA as a child become parents themselves, the risk of their children having JIA is extremely small.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of all forms of arthritis are stiffness, pain, and restricted movements of the joints. Swelling, warmth and redness of the skin over the joint may also occur.
Osteoarthritis begins slowly with pain and stiffness in joints when they are moved, and restricted movement of the joints affected. For some, slight stiffness is all they will experience, but others go on to have grating joints, knobbly bone growths (especially on the hands), and joints that go out of alignment. The pain and loss of movement tends to get worse as the day goes on, as the joints are used more.

Rheumatoid arthritis also begins gradually, with a swollen and painful joint, and may be accompanied by a general feeling of being unwell, such as tiredness. It can progress to pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, and lack of mobility. It can also spread to other organs such as the eyes, lungs and skin. It is usually worse in the morning, but often improves during the day as the joints are flexed and used.

Source:
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