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Definition: rheumatoid arthritis from The Macquarie Dictionary
1.

a chronic autoimmune disease marked by inflammation of the lining of the joints, frequently accompanied by marked deformities, and causing damage to the bone and cartilage.

RA

rheumatoid arthritis

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Inflammation of the joints. A chronic progressive disease, it begins with pain and stiffness in the small joints of the hands and feet and spreads to involve other joints, often with severe disability and disfigurement. There may also be damage to the eyes, nervous system, and other organs. The disease is treated with a range of drugs and with surgery, possibly including replacement of major joints. Rheumatoid arthritis most often develops between the ages of 30 and 40, and is three times more common in women than men. It is an autoimmune disease and thus some of the recently developed treatments involve drugs which deactivate those parts of the immune system responsible for tissue damage. In the West it affects 2–3% of women and nearly 1% of men. In children rheumatoid arthritis is known as Still's disease. Symptoms Rheumatoid arthritis affects the whole body. Degeneration of the ‘collagen’ component of the fibrous connective tissues occurs. This degeneration is common to all…
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Full text Article Rheumatoid arthritis

From Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial tissue surrounding the joints. This inflammation is associated with swelling and pain. As the disease progresses, joint tissue may become permanently damaged. The combined effects of inflammation and joint damage…
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Full text Article Rheumatoid Arthritis

From Encyclopedia of Women's Health
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the joints are the primary target of progressive inflammation and destruction. This disease affects about 1% of the U.S. population and is nearly three times more common in women than men. It can occur at any age and tends to increase in…
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Full text Article Rheumatoid Arthritis

From Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Arthritic hands. (CNRI/Science Source)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased movement in joints. Unchecked, it can lead to joint destruction. Rheumatoid arthritis affects between 0.3% and 1% of the global population, and its prevalence in the United…
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Full text Article RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

From The Encyclopedia of Elder Care
complete blood count, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, DMARDs, home care costs, Hydroxychloroquine, inflammatory markers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, nursing home costs, rheumatoid arthritis, rituximab, tofacitinib Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Antirheumatic…
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Full text Article Rheumatoid Arthritis

From Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
An individual with rheumatoid arthritis as seen...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes painful swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints, especially those of the hands and feet, and eventually damages the lining of joints. It can also harm other parts of the body, including blood vessels, eyes, …
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Full text Article Rheumatoid Arthritis

From Harvard Medical School Health Topics A-Z
Rheumatoid Arthritis
What Is It? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory disease that causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling in joints. Over time, the affected joints may become misshapen, misaligned and damaged. Tissue lining the joint can become thick, and may wear away surrounding…
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Full text Article rheumatoid arthritis

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Inflammation of the joints. A chronic progressive disease, it begins with pain and stiffness in the small joints of the hands and feet and spreads to involve other joints, often with severe disability and disfigurement. There may also be damage to the eyes, nervous system, and other organs. The…
| 660 words
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Full text Article rheumatoid arthritis

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation , mostly in synovial joint s. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. It usually starts gradually, with pain and stiffness in one or more joints, then swelling and heat. Muscle…
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Full text Article rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

From Library of Health and Living: The Encyclopedia of Autoimmune Diseases
Also known as: rheumatism An inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints.It occurs when the immune system, which normally defends the body from invading organisms, turns its attack against the membrane lining the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is one…
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Full text Article rheumatoid arthritis

From Collins Dictionary of Medicine
A general disease affecting women more often than men and, in severe cases, causing progressive joint deformity, joint destruction and disability. The small joints of the fingers and hands are most seriously affected but the condition can spread to involve the wrists, elbows, shoulders and other…
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