Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. This condition can also affect the tissues surrounding the joints (muscles, tendons, ligaments) as well as other organs of the body (skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles).

RA is a chronic condition and it tends to last for many years though there are periods in between when the patient is without any symptom. RA is a progressive condition and over a period of time, it causes joint destruction and functional disability.

Scientists largely believe that the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis may be genetically inherited. It is also suspected that certain infections or factors in the environment might trigger the immune system to attack the body's own tissues (Autoimmune response), resulting in inflammation.

In any case, the autoimmune response causes chronic inflammation of the joints that later progresses to joint destruction. Stress can act a predisposing factor as well as a trigger to induce acute episodes of the condition.

The disease is three times more common in women as compared to men. It afflicts people of all races equally. The disease can begin at any age, but peak incidence is seen between 40 to 60 years of age.

The course of RA varies from patient to patient. There are stages when the disease is active, and this is called a flare-up. In between the flare-ups are episodes when the patient is free from symptoms, such periods are called Remissions.