*हिंदी में पढ़ें: रूमेटाइड आर्थराइटिस (RA) के विभिन्न प्रकारों को समझें
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune condition. It causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed. While RA affects people of all ages, the most common age bracket for people affected by the condition is 30-60 years.
The chronic condition can lead to a wide range of symptoms, but the most common Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Inflammation
- Swelling & redness around joints
- Fatigue
- Recurring fever
👉 Read our complete guide: Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms are dependent on the type of rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment and management strategies also depend on the type of RA an individual has. In this blog, we will have a look at the different types of RA.
Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis generally involves a series of diagnostic tests. These tests help ascertain if the body has an active immune reaction to its own healthy tissues. The said immune reaction tends to produce certain antibodies. You may get diagnosed with seropositive RA if you have the following antibodies: RF (rheumatoid factor) and ACPA (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody/Anti-CCP.
If you have these antibodies, it doesn’t necessarily mean you may have RA. However, their prevalence can help doctors identify the type of RA, in case you do have it.
If you have been diagnosed with seropositive RA, you may experience:
- More extreme symptoms
- Substantial bone erosion
- Weak or slow response to treatment
- Quick progression of the condition
- More complications and implications for other body parts, like lungs, etc.
*DID YOU KNOW? Smoking is a major risk factor for RA, especially seropositive RA. Studies[1] show that smoking can contribute to the production or release of RF and ACPA. This increases the risk of seropositive RA.
Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis
Individuals who test negative for RF and ACPA can still have rheumatoid arthritis. Research[2] suggests that approximately 20-25% of people with RA often test negative for RF and ACPA. Other clinical symptoms also play a crucial role in diagnosis. These can be identified through imaging scans and other laboratory tests.
Seronegative RA is generally considered a milder form of the autoimmune condition. However, some patients may still notice severe symptoms, if left untreated. Since this is a mild form, diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. This is why, when seronegative patients finally visit a doctor, they tend to have more severe symptoms. But the good news is, such patients typically respond to the treatment faster and better than those with seropositive RA.
*Note: Seronegative patients can test positive for the RF and ACPA antibodies in the future. This is when their doctor might change the diagnosis from seronegative to seropositive RA.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Formerly known as “juvenile rheumatoid arthritis”, JIA is the most common form of arthritis found in children. JIA is diagnosed in children below the age of 16. JIA symptoms may either be temporary or last for the affected individual’s lifetime. Some signs (similar to RA in adults) include:
- Joint pain
- Inflammation
- Stiffness
- Recurrent fever
These can interfere with the child’s growth and hamper proper development.
These are the most commonly diagnosed types of RA. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment for all of these forms largely remains the same, including DMARDs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, biologics, and surgery (in severe cases).
If left untreated, the condition poses a risk of heart, kidney, and/or lung damage. Early detection and timely management are key to leading generally healthy lives. This is why it is important to visit a specialist as soon as you notice the first sign.
Sohana Hospital has a team of the best rheumatology doctors who collaborate with multiple departments to provide the best and most personalised RA treatment. The institution boasts a fine range of advanced diagnostics and cutting-edge treatment facilities, all at affordable prices, making quality healthcare accessible to all.
Reference Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7072747/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6947665/#:~:text=An%20estimated%2020%2D25%25%20of%20cases%20of%20RA%20are%20seronegative%2C%20meaning%20that%20patients%20do%20not%20express%20RF%20or%20ACPA%20in%20the%20serum%20despite%20meeting%20clinical%20classification%20criteria%20for%20RA.