Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an
inflammatory illness that mostly affects
the joints, although it can also affect other
organs and limit movement. This
symmetrical, chronic illness typically
manifests between the ages of 35 and 60
and causes joint degradation, pain, and
systemic symptoms. Because of their
different clinical manifestations, RA and
osteoarthritis must be distinguished from
one another. Osteoarthritis is caused by
wear and tear, whereas RA is symmetrical
and involves an immunological response.
The goals of RA management are to lessen
discomfort, reduce inflammation, and
avoid joint deformities and destruction
because there is currently no known
treatment for RA. A combination of
medication, specialized exercise,
education, and rest are used in treatment
plans, taking into account the disease's
course, the joints that are impacted, and
the patient's general health. The two main
forms of treatment are corticosteroids and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications (NSAIDs), which reduce
inflammation and discomfort but
frequently present varying side effects.
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic
medications commonly called DMARDs,
provide a backup plan by delaying the
deterioration of joints and easing
associated symptoms. Modern treatment
options include methotrexate,
hydrochloroquine, and more recent drugs
like leflunomide and biologics like
interleukin inhibitors and tumor necrosis
factor (TNF) inhibitors, each with unique
advantages and disadvantages. In order to
improve joint function and reduce
discomfort, surgical interventions—which
have become less common as a result of
medical advancements are taken into
consideration for severe cases or end-stage
RA. Physcial and occupational therapy,
nutritional supplements, complementary
therapies, and current molecular
mechanism research provide further
options for controlling RA symptoms and
enhancing the quality of life for patients.
This review offers a thorough analysis of
both traditional and contemporary RA
treatments, emphasizing the need for a
multimodal strategy to effectively manage
the disease and pointing out possible
directions for future research and
development.
Keywords: Autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Disease-modifying drugs, Joint
degradation, Osteoarthritis, Joint pain