10/05/2021
Arthritis | Arthropathies
World Arthritis Day is observed globally on October 2 to raise awareness about the disease. This day has been recognized worldwide since 1996 and is celebrated for the 26th time this year.
The focus of Arthritis Day is to raise awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders, including joint inflammation and bone-related diseases.
Musculoskeletal disorders affect approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide. Globally, over 100 million people suffer from these conditions without proper diagnosis or treatment, often enduring pain and disability. Many of these individuals may receive incorrect diagnoses, lack access to effective treatments, and face prolonged suffering.
These conditions not only impact a person’s daily life but also impose significant economic, social, and psychological burdens.
What are Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders?
There are over 200 types of these diseases. They are primarily classified into:
Autoimmune disorders – caused by abnormal immune responses.
Inflammatory arthritis – includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Degenerative/Osteoarthritis – associated with age-related wear and tear.
These disorders can affect multiple joints and tissues, often causing pain, swelling, deformity, and reduced mobility.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation within a joint, characterized by pain, swelling, and loss of normal structure (deformity).
Types of Arthritis:
Septic Arthritis – caused by infection.
Inflammatory Arthritis – primarily due to autoimmune responses.
Degenerative/Osteoarthritis – commonly affects older adults, causing pain during movement, gradually worsening over time, mostly in the knee, hip, spine, and hand joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease mainly affecting joints. It currently affects approximately 18 million people worldwide, with women being three times more likely to develop the disease than men. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, female s*x, and smoking.
Symptoms include:
Joint pain and swelling
Morning stiffness throughout the body
Difficulty dressing or performing personal hygiene
Gradual joint deformity, especially in hands and feet
Fatigue, mild fever, eye dryness, and skin nodules (rheumatoid nodules)
Symptoms may also include respiratory difficulties when multiple systems are affected
Laboratory indicators may include:
Elevated ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
Positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-CCP antibodies
Imaging studies may show:
Fluid accumulation and joint effusion on ultrasound
Bone erosion on X-ray
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Once confirmed, treatment may involve medications for short-term relief (steroids) and long-term disease-modifying drugs such as:
Hydroxychloroquine
Methotrexate
Leflunomide
Sulfasalazine
Key Points:
Musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders can cause chronic pain, deformity, reduced mobility, and significant impact on daily life, emphasizing the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and proper treatment.
