What is my prognosis with rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease, causing increased joint destruction and restricted movement over time. However, the time course and total extent of this disability varies significantly between people and can be controlled by treatment with medication. Quality of life with rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis affects people in different ways, both in the symptoms they experience and in the severity of joint changes. Ultimately, rheumatoid arthritis most commonly leads to joint destruction and deformity if the disease process is not altered. The bone and cartilage are eroded, and the surface on which the joint movement occurs is destroyed, often leading to loss of range of motion. This process may occur over many years, but in certain people, it develops much more quickly. Treatment can slow or even stop this process, but some people with rheumatoid arthritis have complete loss of function of a particular area, especially the hands. In rare cases, when other organs be
