Question

Is Rheumatoid arthritis an autoimmune disease?

Answer 1

Autoimmune disease:

1. Autoimmune disease is a condition where a person's immune cells mount an immune response against their cells.
2. It occurs due to the activation of self-reactive T and B-cells.
3. The factors responsible for the occurrence of autoimmune diseases are viral, genetic, hormonal, and the influence of stress and neurochemicals.
4. The majority of autoimmune diseases are polygenic and the affected persons have multiple genetic polymorphisms.
5. MHC genes play a major role in mounting autoimmune responses.
6. Viral as well as bacterial infections also may enhance autoimmunity.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the affected parts.
2. It mainly affects the synovial joints.
3. Hands, wrists, and knees are the major joints that are affected.
4. The lining of the joint which is affected by Rheumatoid arthritis becomes inflamed which in turn causes damage to the joint tissue.
5. The tissue damage results in long-lasting chronic pain, lack of balance, and deformity.
6. It can also affect tissues of other organs and cause damage to the heart, lungs, and eyes.
7. Some of the other symptoms include weight loss, fever, fatigue, and weakness.