Rheumatoid Arthritis

Body Systems › Musculoskeletal System › Rheumatoid Arthritis
MSK Clinical reference

Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is systemic autoimmune symmetric polyarthritis. Predominantly small joints (MCPs, PIPs, wrists). Morning stiffness >1 hour. Anti-CCP antibodies are highly specific. Early DMARD therapy prevents joint destruction.

RA rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory arthritis
Terms
2
ICD-10
8
Evidence
5
Trials
0
Latest evidence

Latest evidence

Core official overview

What this condition is

What is rheumatoid arthritis?Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. RA is an autoimmune disease. Although it is most common in the wrist and fingers, this disease can cause your immune system to attack any joint tissue. The inflammation (swelling) that comes with RA can also affect other body parts. Inflammation could cause medical issues in your ey…

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Condition family & coding

Terms and documentation support

Condition matches & synonyms

Terms

Related diagnostic names, synonyms, and documentation wording that may appear in clinical references and charting.

Rheumatoid arthritis Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

ICD-10 quick links

Codes

For study support, terminology recognition, and documentation language.

M06.9 Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified M05.9 Rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid factor, unspecified M06.08 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, vertebrae M06.00 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, unspecified site M06.011 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, right shoulder M06.012 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, left shoulder M06.019 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, unspecified shoulder M06.021 Rheumatoid arthritis without rheumatoid factor, right elbow
Common tests

Tests performed

Anti-CCP (most specific) RF (rheumatoid factor) ESR/CRP CBC (anemia of chronic disease) BMP X-rays hands/feet Baseline CXR (MTX) Hepatitis B/C (before biologics)
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Methotrexate (cornerstone DMARD) Hydroxychloroquine + Sulfasalazine (mild) Biologics: Etanercept, Adalimumab, Abatacept, Tocilizumab JAK inhibitors: Tofacitinib, Baricitinib (caution cardiovascular) NSAIDs + short-term corticosteroids (bridging)
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Chronic Pain Impaired Physical Mobility Fatigue Activity Intolerance Disturbed Body Image
Official education links

Plain-language study support

Useful for plain-language reinforcement and quick review.

Rheumatoid Arthritis What is rheumatoid arthritis?Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. RA is an autoimmune disease. Although it is most common in the wrist and fingers, this disease can cause your immune system to attack any joint tissue. The inflammation (swelling) that comes with RA can also affect other body parts. Inflammation could cause medical issues in your ey… Juvenile Arthritis What is juvenile arthritis?Juvenile arthritis (JA) is arthritis that happens in children. It causes joint inflammation (swelling), pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. It can affect any joint, but it is more common in the knees, hands, and feet.JA can affect your child's growth and development, and in some cases, it can also affect other organs. Fin… Arthritis What is arthritis?If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Any disorder that affects the joints is often called arthritis. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee.Most types of arthritis can cause joint pain and inflammation (swelling). Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause… Ankle Injuries and Disorders Your ankle bone and the ends of your two lower leg bones make up the ankle joint. Your ligaments, which connect bones to one another, stabilize and support it. Your muscles and tendons move it.The most common ankle problems are sprains and fractures (broken bones). A sprain is an injury to the ligaments. It may take a few weeks to many months to heal completely. A fracture is a break in a bone. You can also injure o…