clinical features
Last edited 08/2018
The clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis may be classified into:
- 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 (1)
Reference: