Psychological Effects and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common long-term inflammatory condition that can affect physical, psychological and social wellbeing. RA is an ailment which arises due to the immune system of the humans itself, influencing the joints of the patients. Ample difficulties can follow, for example, lasting joint harm requiring rheumatoid vasculitis, arthroplasty, and Felty syndrome necessitating splenectomy, if it remains untreated. Patients may also experience psychological challenges due to that the fact that RA has no permanent treatment. Nevertheless, the treatment areas are to diminish the pain and arrest additional harm. The aim of treatment is to suppress the activity (inflammation) of rheumatoid arthritis and to optimize patients’ physical, psychological and social functioning. This review presents a brief summary on psychological implications of living with rheumatoid arthritis, pathogenesis, diagnosis, causes, sign and symptoms and treatments associated with RA.