I can usually spot a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from across a room. They are almost always rubbing the backs of their hands and grimacing.
RA is an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, or ankles but can also affect organs and tissues throughout the body. It’s the leading cause of work disability in the United States, affecting more women than men and with a higher prevalence among older individuals.