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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Immune System
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Immunologic tests: Levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and possibly other antibodies (anti-RA33, anti-CCP) may be checked. The majority of people have a positive RF result during the disease’s active periods. A positive ANA result indicates an unusually active immune system. About 40% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have a positive ANA result. In the first few months of onset of rheumatoid arthritis, these immunologic tests may be negative, and, in some patients, they are always negative.
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The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatoryautoimmune disorderthat causes the immune systemto attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatorycondition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is ... systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.
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Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear on your joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition. The exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to be the body's immune system attacking the synovium รข€” the tissue that lines your joints.
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