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Li, MD, FACR — By Anna Smith on July 11, 2022Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. Research suggests it affects up to 1% of the global population. The above statistic comes from a 2020 review. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Read on to learn about the prevalence of RA, its causes, risk factors, symptoms, and more. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. How common is rheumatoid arthritis Share on PinterestThomas Barwick/Getty ImagesAccording to the American College of Rheumatology, RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. Around 1.3 million people in the United States have RA, representing 0.6 to 1% of the population. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 32.5 million people in the U.S. The Arthritis Foundation (AF) estimates that the global prevalence of RA is 0.5⁠ to 1% in developed countries. A 2020 review found that the prevalence of RA in the Middle East and Africa ranged from 0.06⁠ to 3.4%. RA occurs more frequently in females than in males. Around 75% of people with RA are female. Although RA can affect people of any age, it generally develops when a person is 30⁠–50 years old. Learn more about different types of arthritis here. Causes of rheumatoid arthritis Normally, a person’s immune system helps protect them from infection and diseases. Autoimmune conditions can cause a person’s immune system to mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders. This results in the immune system attacking healthy cells, leading to inflammation. RA is an autoimmune condition. When a person has RA, their immune system attacks the synovium of their joints. The synovium is the tissue that lines a joint. It produces synovial fluid, which lubricates a person’s joints and helps them move smoothly. The synovium becomes thick and inflamed during an episode of RA. This can cause pain and difficulty moving. The exact cause of RA is currently unknown. However, certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing it. Learn about 12 early signs of rheumatoid arthritis here. Risk factors According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk factors for RA include:older agebeing femalecertain inherited genessmoking cigarettesnever having given birthenvironmental factors, such as having a mother who smoked or coming from a low income backgroundhaving obesity Learn more about risk factors for RA here. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis A person with RA may find their symptoms come and go. When a person is experiencing RA symptoms, it is called a flare. RA causes symptoms to occur in more than one joint. Additionally, a person with RA may find it affects the same joints on both sides of their body. For example, it may affect both knees or wrists. RA generally develops in small joints, such as wrist or finger bones. It can also affect other areas such as the eyes, skin, or lungs. Symptoms of RA can include:joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, or swelling that lasts 6 weeks or moremorning joint stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutesfatigueminor feverweight lossweaknesshard lumps under the skin in areas such as the hands or elbows Find more rheumatoid arthritis information here. Complications of rheumatoid arthritis Having RA can put a person at risk of developing additional health complications, including: Obesity Painful joints can make it difficult to move around or exercise. This can cause unintended weight gain and lead a person to develop obesity. Heart disease According to the AF, RA almost doubles a person’s chances of developing heart disease. Obesity and certain drugs used to treat RA can also increase a person’s blood pressure. RA can cause inflammation of the blood vessels, known as rheumatoid vasculitis. This can lead to narrowing of the arteries, which can cause blood pressure to rise. Learn more about high blood pressure here. Lung disease The AF notes that lung-related complications are the most common symptom of RA after joint-related symptoms. They estimate that 1 in 10 people with RA will also develop interstitial lung disease (ILD). RA-associated ILD occurs when scarring develops on a person’s lung tissue. This scarring is a result of the immune system attacking healthy lung tissue. ILD can lead a person to have trouble breathing. They may require a lung transplant to regain breathing function. Other lung issues RA causes include:pulmonary nodules, which are small lumps that grow inside the lungspleural effusion, a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lungsbronchiectasis, a widening of the airways Other complications Other health issues that can occur due to RA include:metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressurepainful, dry, red eyeseye inflammationdifficulty seeingsensitivity to lightdry mouthgum infections, irritation, or inflammation Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis Doctors recommend medications and self-management treatment for RA. These include:disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)biological response modifiers or biologicalseating a balanced, nutritious dietdaily movement, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a short walkremembering to rest and take breaks using hot and cold treatments, such as warm baths or placing an ice pack on swollen jointstopical treatments such as creams or gels to soothe joint painmassageacupuncturestopping smoking, if applicablereaching and maintaining a moderate weighttalking with a doctor about taking supplements such as turmeric and omega-3 fish oil Read about traditional versus biologic DMARDs for treating RA here. When to contact a doctor A person should talk with a doctor if they have:joint symptoms that last 3 days or moreseveral episodes of joint symptoms within a monthjoint issues that are causing them concern A doctor can advise the person about the treatment options most suitable for them. A person should also talk with a doctor if they have any concerning symptoms alongside their RA. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing or high blood pressure may indicate additional health issues. Outlook There is currently no cure for RA. The outlook for a person with RA can depend on certain factors, such as:agethe progression of the conditionwhether they smokewhether they have obesity According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network, a person with RA may have a life expectancy that is 10–15 years shorter than a person without the condition. However, they say a person with RA can live into their eighties or nineties. RA-related deaths generally occur due to additional health complications that develop as a result of the condition. More than half of RA-related deaths are due to heart disease and cardiovascular issues. Summary RA is an autoimmune condition. It is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, risk factors for the disease include a person’s sex, age, and inherited genes. Having RA can make a person more likely to develop certain health complications, such as heart or lung disease. Generally, RA-related deaths result from complications that develop due to the condition. If a person has symptoms of RA, they should talk with a doctor. Last medically reviewed on July 11, 2022Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatologyImmune System / VaccinesMedically reviewed by Margaret R. Li, MD, FACR — By Anna Smith on July 11, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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