Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects around 0.5% of adults worldwide, primarily women over 40. It causes inflammation and pain in the joints. While the exact cause is unknown, genetic and environmental factors are implicated. The disease is characterized by two subsets distinguished by the presence or absence of antibodies against citrullinated proteins. Treatment aims to reduce pain, swelling, and joint damage through medications like methotrexate and lifestyle changes such as exercise and heat/cold therapy. Ongoing research is exploring the immune system, genes, and new drug combinations to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

1. José Eduardo Ramos Miranda
BIOL 3095
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey

2.  Rheumatoid Arthirits (RA) is a complex disease
that affects approximately 0.5% of the adult
population worldwide, and occurs in 20-50 cases
per 100,000 annually, mainly in women after their
40s (Carmona et al. 2010).
www.webmd.com

3.  Affects different articulations in the body.
 It is an auto-immune disease.
 There is no clear cause for this disease.
noeydali.blogspot.es

4.  Genetic and Environmental triggers are implicated
in the pathogenesis of this disease.
 RA consists of at least 2 different subsets
characterized by the presence or absence of
antibodies to citrullinated protein antigen (ACPA)
(Svendsen et al. 2013).

5. Provided by (Carmona et al. 2010)

6.  Genes with the major histo-compatability complex
appear to have the strongest influence on disease
susceptibility.
www.rcsb.org

7.  General lifestyle factors like: smoking, because it
shows a clear interaction with genetic
susceptibility genes.
 Pregnant women whose pregnancies were
complicated by hyperemesis, gestational
hypertension or preeclampsia. Have an increased
risk of RA.
www.babiesandtoddlers.com

8.  The main goals are:
 take away pain
 reduce swelling
 slow down or stop joint damage
 make people feel better and stay active.

9.  Methrotrexate (MTX) is considered the anchor
drug for the treatment of RA; it is administered in
up to 70% of patients with this disease (Cipriani et
al. 2014).
mc.usp.org

10. By (Gaujoux et al. 2014).

14.  Regular exercise
 Rest and Relaxation
 Tai Chi (slow, gentle movements and deep
breathing)
 The use of heat and cold
http://www.healthline.com/

15.  The severity of RA has declined over the past few
decades.
 By knowing possible risk factors, we can make
more effective treatments to slower down this
process.
 Research is being done now on: immune systems,
genes and drug combinations.

16.  Cipriani P, Ruscitti P, Carrubi F , Liakouli V, Giacomelli R. 2014.
Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Optimizing Therapy Among
Different Formulations. Current and Emerging Paradigms. Clinical
Therapeutics [Internet]; [cited 2014 Sep 25]. 36(3):427-
435.doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2014.01.014
 Gaujoux-Vialaa C, Gossecb L, Cantagrelc A, Dougadosd M, Fautrelb
B, Mariettee X, Nataff H, Sarauxg A, Tropei S, Combej B. 2014.
Recommendations of the French Society for Rheumatology for
managing rheumatoid arthritis. Joint Bone Spine [Internet]; [cited
2014 Oct 3]. 81(4)287-297.doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2014.05.002
 Svendsen A, Kyvik K, Houen G, Junker P, Christensen K,
Christiansen L, Nielsen C, Skytthe A, Hjelmborg J. 2013. On the
Origin of Rheumatoid Arthitis: The Impact of Environment and
Genes-A Population Based Twin Study. PLoS One [Internet]; [cited
2014 Oct 31]. 8(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057304

17. www.mint.com