“The possibility of rheumatoid arthritis in first-degree relatives of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis is ten times higher than normal,” said Dr. Hülya Vahedi and pointed out that “The HLA-DRB1 gene is the most responsible gene in this disease. Some environmental factors play a role in revealing the disease in people with a genetic predisposition. Among the environmental factors, it is known that smoking and the bacterium Porphyromonas Gingivalis, which is responsible for chronic gingivitis in the mouth, play a role in the emergence of Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
Largest Group of Women
Saying that Rheumatoid Arthritis disease is seen at a frequency of approximately 0.5 percent to 1 percent, Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that this disease is most common in women. Saying that Rheumatoid Arthritis most often starts between the ages of 25 – 55, Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that the symptoms of the disease are mainly seen in the joints and tendons around the joints. Since rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease, symptoms can be seen in subcutaneous nodules, lungs, heart, and some other organs outside of the joints.
Joint swelling to be the most important symptom
Providing information about the symptoms of the disease, Dr. Hülya Vahedi said joint swelling and morning stiffness lasting more than an hour are important symptoms. Saying that the disease typically begins as swelling and stiffness in the small joints of the hands and feet, wrists and ankles, Dr. Hülya Vahedi also stated that stiffness was seen in the elbows, shoulders, knees and hip joints over time. Dr. Hülya Vahedi continued her words as follows: “New joint involvement occurs within months. Symmetrical involvement is an important finding. More than five joints are involved in typical Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Morning pain and night pain are excessive. As you move, there is a decrease in joint pain and stiffness in the morning. Symmetrical involvement is an important finding.”
It can be seen in multiple joints
Saying that in some cases Rheumatoid Arthritis disease can develop very quickly, Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that the disease causes pain, swelling and stiffness in all joints. Vahedi also said that Rheumatoid Arthritis patients may have pain and stiffness that they cannot even get out of bed. Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that the disease can occur in a single joint or several joints. Saying that Rheumatoid Arthritis disease has a form called palindromic, Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that there was an acute swelling in a single joint at such initials and that it could heal completely within about three days. She said that these attacks could be repeated in another joint after months.
Saying that there is also a type of the disease that starts at a late age, Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that in this case, the disease started with severe morning and night stiffness in the shoulders and hips. Dr. Hülya Vahedi warned that Rheumatoid Arthritis could be confused with another disease called Polymyalgia Rheumatica from time to time.
Starting treatment timely can prevent permanent damage
Explaining that deformations such as swan neck deformity, buttonhole deformity and ulnar deviation can be seen in the hands with the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Hülya Vahedi said that the diagnosis of the disease can be made mainly with the complaints and examination findings of the patients. Dr. Hülya Vahedi stated that the follow-up of patients and some laboratory and radiological findings can be helpful in diagnosing the disease. Dr. Hülya Vahedi “For a definitive diagnosis, other possible diseases should be excluded. Corticosteroids and basic drugs that change the course of the disease are used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is important for patients to do exercises to strengthen their joints and muscles in addition to drug treatments.”