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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that involves inflammation of the joints and joint pain. Although not as common as osteoarthritis (OA), RA is a more debilitating form of arthritis and usually starts at a younger age. People usually begin to develop RA between the ages of 30 and 50.

About 2.1 million Americans have RA, according to the National Institutes of Health. More than 70 percent of them are women, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

The cause of RA is not entirely understood. RA begins with an altered immune response, in which immune cells attack normal body cells in the joints. This causes inflammation and pain in the joints, frequently in the same joint on both sides of the body. Although this autoimmune response may trigger the inflammation, it is not known what causes the immune system to do this.

RA may begin as pain, swelling or stiffness in a few joints. The progress of the disease varies. It may remain the same for many years or progress to other joints and systems in the body. The swelling can deform the bones and tendons in the joints, which may make the joints difficult to use. Some people lose the ability to grip properly with their hands or turn objects with their wrists. Eventually, some RA patients can no longer work or perform household tasks because of their disability.

Physicians may use multiple blood tests and a physical examination to diagnose RA. Guidelines to classify the disease include joint pain or swelling in multiple joints for more than six weeks.

RA cannot be cured. Treatment concentrates on pain relief and slowing the progression of the disease.

Great strides have been made in recent years with drugs that can slow RA’s progress. Drug treatment may include basic pain relievers such as acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs. Other drugs modify the disease’s progress or work on parts of the immune system that malfunction to trigger RA. The course of RA is different for each patient and different drug combinations may provide relief. No drugs can reverse damage inflicted on the joints.

Some surgical procedures can remove parts of damaged joints or even replace a joint (arthroplasty).

Research into the causes and progress of RA continues. Scientists are studying genetics and the biochemistry of the immune system. Other studies focus on potential new drugs, drug combinations or other treatment methods.