Despite the many medical advances in arthritis, many people continue to be ignorant of arthritis. Many still regard arthritis to be rheumatism or fung sap (Chinese for rheumatism), and resort to pain-relief measures such as acupuncture, cold-hot applications or painkillers as main treatment options.

One of the Arthritis of Malaysia's aims is to disseminate the right knowledge about arthritis and its treatment sufferers to seek early treatment so as to avoid long-term complications.
 
“Arthritis is actually an entire spectrum of joint-related conditions encompassing over 100 diseases. Of these, RA is the most common and most debilitating, as it is the major cause of joint damage in patients,” explains Dr Chow Sook Khuan, a consultant rheumatologist and president of the Arthritis Foundation Malaysia.

RA symptoms include joints that are painful, warm to the touch, swollen and red. Patients will also lose their appetite, have a low-grade fever and feel extreme fatigue.

As the symptoms tend to wax and wane, many patients tend to doctor-hop, trying new therapies and treatments that promise fast, if not instant cures.

“Patients need to be wary and not waste money on treatments that provide short symptomatic relief. I can never stress enough that early diagnosis and proper medical treatment may alter the consequences of RA, which may result in chronic inflammation with destruction of joints and functional disability,” says Dr Chow.

Hence, it is important for RA patients to seek professional advice from rheumatologists to get a proper diagnosis of their condition.

The immune system works as a defence system against bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders. In autoimmune conditions such as RA, the immune system cells known as T-cells or white blood cells, acts out of the norm and starts attacking the joint tissues.

In the joint, the cells produce many substances including enzymes, antibodies and cytokines that attack the joint and create damage. This creates an inflammation, which causes the synovial fluid in the joints to swell.

“The affected joints become very painful, leading to decreased mobility and range of motion. We don’t have the statistics in Malaysia, but data from the US and UK shows that arthritis is the leading cause of disability in these communities,” says Dr Chow.

RA can affect anyone, from babies (in a condition known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis) to retirees. It is more common in women compared to men, which has prompted recent studies into the involvement of hormonal imbalance as a possible cause of RA.

In severe cases, RA can develop into inflammation of the lungs, heart, skin, nerves and other tissues.

Despite that, the outlook for arthritis has been increasingly positive over the last decade. About 25% of RA patients who undergo aggressive treatment in the early stages can achieve clinical remission, reassures Dr Chow.

Highly effective medications that provide symptomatic relief and modify the progression of the disease have increased the quality of life for many RA patients. Newer treatment options in the form of biologic agents have also given many RA patients a new lease of life by targeting the specific chemicals in the immune system that causes RA.

“Most importantly, we need patients to know that they can still have a good quality of life if they are well-educated about their disease, particularly if they have RA. Patients need to be treated at the early stages, before joint damage happens,” Dr Chow stresses.

She adds that apart from medications, patients must take an active role in their treatment, such as identifying triggers of their inflammation and making lifestyle changes, such as exercising, staying positive and possibly making changes to the way they work or play.

 
I can never stress enough that early diagnosis and proper medical treatment may alter the consequences of RA.
 Low-impact exercises such as swimming and tai chi can help RA patients by keeping joints flexible. Yoga and other stress-lowering activities also help strengthen the muscle.

Other tools that can make life better for RA patients include shoe orthotics, walking aids and splints.