These antibodies attack a thin membrane surrounding the ends of each bone making up a joint. The synovial membranes of an affected joint become inflamed and swollen. Incidence About 7 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis . Usually it starts when the patient is between 30 and 50 years of age. It can attack at any age, but severe cases are far more common at ages beyond 40 and 50.
Women are about three times more likely to get the disease than men.
Symptoms you are likely to notice Before joint pain begins, there may be fatigue , aches, and anemia. As the disease progresses the characteristic pains and swelling of the joints begin. Often the same joint on both sides of the body will be affected. When it attacks joints, the disease makes the skin red and the joint stiff and painful to move. Episodes of distress may be followed by pain-free intervals.