Rheumatoid arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, which in time can lead to it´s structural damage and dysfunction of the whole musculoskeletal system.

 

The most common presentation of the disease is polyarthritis of the small joints of the hands and feet, but any joint in the body can be affected.

 

Besides the joints, and especially in more severe and long-term cases, other organs and systems may be involved, such as the lungs (interstitial lung disease), eyes (episcleritis), or blood vessels (vasculitis).

It is a chronic disease because it has no cure, but if effectively treated, it has a good vital and functional prognosis. In recent years, there has been a substantial improvement in its treatment.

Suppressing inflammation in the early stages of the disease, that is, early treatment, has the ability to stop the inflammatory process associated with the disease, resulting in an improvement in long-term quality of life.

The experience and technical knowledge of the attending physician is fundamental to achieving treatment that, besides being safe and effective, respects the individuality of each patient.

 

Useful links:
https://spreumatologia.pt/artrite-reumatoide/https://www.lpcdr.org.pt/

https://www.andar-reuma.pt/