Chronic joint pain is often associated with older people. Inflammation (arthritis) can occur at any age. If the disease is detected early, those affected can lead a largely normal life.
The first signs usually appear gradually over weeks or months: wrists, fingers or toes swell, hurt or remain stiff for a long time in the morning. It can also be difficult to hold a handle or grip with a closed fist – such as when vacuuming or playing tennis. We are talking about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune joint inflammation. An autoimmune disease is a disease in which the immune system is directed against the body’s own structures (e.g. certain cells or tissue).
In contrast to osteoarthritis, for example, the joints in arthritis do not hurt because of wear and tear, but because they become inflamed. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease of the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any stage of life. It most commonly develops between the ages of 30 and 50, with women being affected more frequently than men. In Switzerland, around 85,000 people or just under 1 percent of the population suffer from the autoimmune disease.
The cause of the autoimmune disease is not known. “Genetic factors are involved, but also environmental factors,” explains Raphael Micheroli, senior physician at the Department of Rheumatology at the University Hospital Zurich. If you want to prevent it, you can only avoid risk factors. These include, above all, smoking.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious, relapsing disease: in the long term, the joints can be irreversibly damaged and their function impaired. The quality of life and performance of those affected suffers. In addition to joint pain, they often feel tired, unwell, slightly feverish or even lose weight.
Effective and well-tolerated medication
The good news is that if the disease is detected early, the prognosis is good. “There is a wide range of medication available today,” says USZ expert Micheroli. “These are generally well tolerated and enable those affected to lead a largely normal life.” In addition to medication in the form of tablets, injections or infusions, cortisone preparations are also used for short periods during flare-ups. In order to improve quality of life, further individual measures make sense: for example, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or the targeted use of aids such as shoe inserts. Because arthritis patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, they should also pay attention to their diet, exercise, blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid levels.
Micheroli emphasizes that irreversible damage to the joints must be avoided at all costs: “The earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.” Ideally, treatment should begin within three months of the onset of the first signs of the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment
The treatment goals include suppressing inflammatory activity and preventing bone destruction by suppressing the excessive immune response.
