European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease, affecting
the joints with varying severity among patients. The risk factors include age, gender, genetics,
and environmental exposure (cigarette smoking, air pollutants, and occupational). Many
complications can follow, such as permanent joint damage requiring arthroplasty, rheumatoid
vasculitis, and Felty syndrome requiring splenectomy if it remains unaddressed. As there is no
cure for RA, the treatment goals are to reduce the pain and stop/slow further damage. Here, we
present a brief summary of various past and present treatment modalities to address the
complications associated with RA.