Clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis
Colquhoun M., Gulati M., Farah Z., Mouyis M.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multiorgan chronic inflammatory condition that is increasing in prevalence over time and is thought to affect 0.78% of the UK population. The cardinal clinical feature is a symmetrical polyarthritis that predominantly affects the small joints. RA can affect other components of the musculoskeletal system (bursitis, tendinopathy, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis) and almost every organ in the body. Extra-articular manifestations of RA can be cutaneous, haematological, neurological, pulmonary, cardiac, renal or ocular. A better understanding of the varied clinical aspects of RA is vital to instigating appropriate management. This review provides a detailed description of the clinical manifestations of RA, both musculoskeletal and extra-articular.