causes of ra
1 Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body. 2  Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs include. 3  joint pain in the feet, hands, and knees, 4  swollen joints, 5  fever, 6  tender joints, 7  loss of joint function,heumatoid arthritis (RA or atrophic arthritis) facts. 1  Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body.