What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients?
Disease description:
I'm very worried that my grandfather might develop rheumatoid arthritis lately. I'd like to ask the doctor: what are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects small joints, especially those in the hands, wrists, and feet. Patients often exhibit the following symptoms:
1. Morning stiffness: Limited joint mobility and a significant feeling of stiffness upon waking in the morning, typically lasting more than one hour.
2. Fatigue: A systemic symptom表现为持续性的疲劳感和体力下降。
3. Fever and weight loss: Some patients may experience low-grade fever and unintentional weight loss.
4. Joint involvement: Rheumatoid arthritis may involve multiple joints, commonly presenting as symmetrical polyarthritis affecting the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, and ankles. As the disease progresses, joint deformities may develop, such as spindle-shaped swelling of the fingers and ulnar deviation.
5. Joint swelling and tenderness: Affected joints may exhibit noticeable swelling and tenderness.
6. Joint dysfunction: Long-term inflammation leads to structural damage of the joints, affecting the range of motion and normal joint function.
7. Extra-articular symptoms: In addition to joint-related symptoms, patients with rheumatoid arthritis may also develop mucocutaneous manifestations such as rashes and oral ulcers; internal organ involvement, such as interstitial lung fibrosis and cardiac complications; and ocular symptoms such as scleritis and conjunctivitis.
