Other organs can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammation of blood vessels or the lining around the heart, known as vasculitis or pericarditis , can result. Osteoporosis , or bone thinning , is also more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis than in the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious and poses no risk to others. The overall goal of treatment is to prevent destruction of the joints.
Education is important for improving daily self-management of the disease.
Methotrexate, a medication also used as cancer chemotherapy , is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Other immunosuppressant medications include azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. These medications slow down the joint destruction associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Symptom control and disease management may be enhanced when medications are started early in treatment. The disease-modifying medications may be started within the first 2 years of the onset of disease.