Symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, as well as fatigue - symptoms which are often put down to ageing first. Occasionally, lumps under the skin near affected joints, called rheumatoid nodules, can also be present. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually, and can also come and go depending on the extent of inflammation, which can vary over time and from patient to patient.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that can ultimately lead to irreversible joint destruction and disability.