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How rheumatoid arthritis damages the entire body

The autoimmune disorder attacks much more than just your joints.

Updated on November 4, 2024

wrist pain, arthritis
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If you’re familiar with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it's no secret that it affects your joints, making pain a regular part of everyday life. But the autoimmune disease doesn't stop there. Many people with RA have additional problems with their heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and more, thanks largely to inflammation. Sometimes, the issues aren't caused by RA itself, but by theShow More

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Lung and respiratory problems

Besides joint pain, people with RA are most likely to have lung issues, which show up eight times more often than they do in adults without RA. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the primary cause, affecting about 10 percent of the RA population. People who smoke, those diagnosed after age 60, andShow More

woman with chest pain
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Heart issues

With RA comes chronic inflammation. And with chronic inflammation often comes heart disease. 

The 1.3 million Americans with RA have a greater risk of heart attack and stroke than people without RA. They are also more likely to have increased hardening of the blood vessels and moreShow More

woman with abdominal pain
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Gastrointestinal (GI) complications

In addition to your heart and lungs, RA can disrupt your digestive system. Having constipation or diarrhea is fairly typical, and some with RA report bleeding, perforation (small holes), ulcers, and blockage. Colon inflammation, called colitis, is often another familiar problem. 

It's not justShow More

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Eye trouble

People with conditions like lupus or RA often have another autoimmune disease called Sjögren's syndrome, also linked to inflammation. It can make eyes and mouths feel dry. There is no cure, but it can be treated with eye drops and medication. 

Another RA-related eye issue: scleritis, whichShow More

woman scratching skin
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Skin concerns

People with RA are also more vulnerable to skin problems, and serious issues can indicate more acute RA. Slower-healing wounds and nodules are common. Nodules are nubs of tissue that can appear in your lungs or under your skin, frequently near joints. They're unsightly but not usually painful.

AShow More

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Wait, there's more

Rheumatoid arthritis also affects:

  • Bones: Osteoporosis is a often big concern of people with RA because it primarily impacts women and is one more obstacle to movement. 
  • Nerves: Inflammation associated with RA can pinch or damage nerves, causing problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Show More
Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Arthritis Foundation. What You Need to Know About RA and Lung Disease. Accessed October 31, 2024.
Shaw M, Collins BF, Ho LA, Raghu G. Rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease. Eur Respir Rev. 2015 Mar;24(135):1-16. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rheumatoid Arthritis. January 25, 2024.
Xu Y, Wu Q. Prevalence Trend and Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis among US Adults, 2005-2018. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul 26;10(15):3289. 
Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Disease. Accessed October 31, 2024.
Hu LJ, Ji B, Fan HX. Venous thromboembolism risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Nov;25(22):7005-7013. 
Chung WS, Peng CL, Lin CL, Chang YJ, et al. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Oct;73(10):1774-80. 
Holmqvist ME, Neovius M, Eriksson J, et al. Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Association With Disease Duration and Hospitalization. JAMA. 2012;308(13):1350–1356.
Arthritis Foundation. RA and Gastrointestinal Problems. Accessed October 31, 2024.
Sjogren’s Foundation. Brochures & Resource Sheets. Accessed October 31, 2024.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Is Scleritis? August 13, 2024.
Singer D, Thompson-Leduc P, Poston S, Gupta D, et al. Incidence of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Rheumatol. 2023 Jul;50(7):873-880. 
Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid Arthritis Raises Shingles Risk. April 7, 2023.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Bone Health and Osteoporosis. Reviewed May 2023.

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