Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Low Lymphocytes?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disorder that affects the body’s synovial tissues. Approximately 1 percent of the global population suffers from RA, and women are three times more likely to suffer from the disease than men. Symptoms typically include stiffness, pain and swelling. In rare instances, individuals diagnosed with RA may also develop secondary conditions. RA can cause low lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, sometimes referred to as “fighter cells,” attack infection-causing microorganisms. Lymphocytopenia, the medical term for the condition arising from a low white-blood-cell count, can be a complication of RA. Referred to as Felty’s syndrome, the uncommon condition affects less than 1 percent of individuals diagnosed with RA. Patients who develop Felty’s are more susceptible to infection due to decreased production of leukocytes, which play an important role in combating infection. A lowered number of white blood cells can also be caused by certain medications prescribed to am
