Clinical features
The clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis may be classified into: (1,2)
- articular manifestations
- extra-articular manifestations
RA usually presents as a gradual-onset, symmetrical arthritis. The main symptoms present in RA are:
- pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints – commonly seen in wrists, proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints.
- early morning stiffness that lasts over 30 minutes - sensitivity 74-77%, specificity 48-52%
- systemic symptoms
- weight loss
- fatigue - 84% of patients at presentation in an observational study
- malaise
Reference:
- Harnden K, Pease C, Jackson A. Rheumatoid arthritis. BMJ. 2016;352:i387.
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. What is RA? May 2015 [internet publication].
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