Since rheumatoid arthritis progresses differently in different people, it is not possible to predict how it will progress in you. However, it is possible to give some general information with the data obtained from the study that included a large number of individuals with RA:
In one out of every 5 people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms of the disease will probably have a very mild course. There may be no damage to the joints, or even if there is damage to a small number of joints, it may have a mild course that will not affect the person’s life.
Most RA patients predict some damage to a small number of joints.
Only one out of 20 RA patients progresses with severe joint damage and multiple joint damage. During this severe course, signs of disease can also be seen in extra-articular tissues due to the increasing inflammatory process in the body.
Blood tests and X-rays allow your doctor to estimate the course, severity and rate of progression of your disease. In this way, your doctor can also plan the treatment that he will apply to you.
Some patients have stagnant periods of months or even years between disease flares. However, even in these cases, mild inflammation may persist and joint damage may develop. Most patients can live well their entire lives with relatively few symptoms and without obvious joint damage, especially if they receive appropriate treatment.
Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a slightly increased risk of heart attack and stroke than those without. This situation is thought to be related to the ongoing inflammatory process, and this risk decreases with the control of the disease (for example, with drugs). Since high cholesterol values and smoking will increase the risk, it would be appropriate to monitor cholesterol levels regularly and not to smoke at all.
