definition of rheumatoid arthritis
Medical Definition of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. : a usually chronic disease that is considered an autoimmune disease and is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of jointsâabbreviation RA; called also atrophic arthritis; compare osteoarthritis.ull Definition of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. : a usually chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints. See rheumatoid arthritis defined for English-language learners. ADVERTISEMENT.