Scientists: Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated earlier

Rheumatoid arthritis, popularly known as "inflammatory rheumatism", is a painful disease that can cause deformity, especially in the joints of the hands and feet.

Today, thanks to developing medicine, the disease can be kept under control, even if it is not completely cured, TRT Haber reports.

It gives symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling in the joints. Morning stiffness is the most important feature that distinguishes the disease from others. Rheumatoid arthritis, popularly known as “inflammatory rheumatism”, is a chronic disease that reduces the quality of life.

Rheumatoid arthritis is seen in approximately one out of a hundred people in Turkey. Thanks to advanced medicine, it can be successfully treated today. So what causes rheumatoid arthritis? Who are at risk? How is it diagnosed and how is the treatment process? Those who are curious about the disease, from the Health Sciences University Çam and Sakura City Hospital Rheumatology Clinic. Dr. Cemal Bes told TRT Haber.

Stating that the most common type of inflammatory rheumatoid disease is rheumatoid arthritis, Prof. Dr. Bes said, “It usually occurs between the ages of 30-50. But before the age of 16, that is, in the childhood age group, or after the age of 65, it can also be seen in the advanced age.

The incidence in women is twice that of men. Other possible risk factors include Prof. Dr. Bes explains:

“If one of the parents has rheumatoid arthritis in the family, it is considered a risk factor for children. But it shouldn't be seen as a big risk. Environmental factors acquired over time – this can sometimes be a cigarette – are risk factors. Sometimes it can even be from an infection that we cannot identify.”

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. prof. Dr. Bes explains which parts of the body are most affected:

“It affects the joints that a person uses the most in his daily life. The limb that we will use the most to meet our basic needs during the day is the hand. A disease that affects the joints of the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, and toes. However, in addition to the joints, the disease can also affect some systems such as the lungs, skin, and subcutaneous tissue.

Pain is the main symptom of this disease. Another symptom is swelling in the joints, especially in the joints of the hands and feet. Restriction in movement is another symptom. prof. Dr. Bes says that some of the difficulties encountered in daily life may be a sign of the disease:

“Morning stiffness after a long rest… Patients may say, 'When I wake up in the morning, I have difficulty in opening my hand, holding or grasping something, I have difficulty in opening the jar, I have difficulty even when opening the tap'.”

For the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, laboratory tests are performed first. Antibodies suggestive of the disease are being checked. However, these tests may not always give complete results in the initial phase. In fact, only 6-7 out of 10 patients can have a positive result initially. For this reason, ultrasonography is preferred in addition to examination and laboratory tests for diagnosis.

Let's come to the treatment phase… Stating that significant progress has been made in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the last 20 years, Prof. Dr. Bes said, “We now have the opportunity to put the disease into sleep, which we call 'remission'. Because we have so many drugs at our disposal, we can easily reach them in our country and we can completely control them. At this point, whatever treatment is given in the world can be taken in Turkey. The most important point in the success of the treatment is the early diagnosis of the disease.

Since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, it does not go away completely. However, thanks to treatment, quality of life can be achieved as if the disease does not exist. When the disease is brought under control with treatment, the symptoms decrease. The duration of treatment varies according to the patient. However, there is usually a long-term, even long-term treatment process.

If the disease is not treated, it has the potential to cause deformity in the joints, that is, disability. However, this is not a common occurrence. prof. Dr. Bes explains the situation with examples from the cases they encountered:

“There are patients who are in such a bad condition that they cannot hold a spoon. But I think they will stay in the books over time. Because now we can treat this disease much earlier. But if it is not diagnosed early and treated well, it is a disease that can cause deformity and disability in a group of patients. There are those who cannot use their fingers or even wash their face. But these are usually for severe, late diagnosed, untreated patients. Now I can say that these symptoms are very low risk when diagnosed, especially when diagnosed early.”