ARTHRITIS

 

This booklet is designed to give you some helpful information about arthritis and other joint problems and how the ARC Arthritis Research Campaign is fighting them.

 

Arthritis and rheumatism – is there a difference?

 

People are often confused about the meaning of these two words – and they overlap. ‘Arthritis’ means disease of or damage to the joints. ‘Rheumatism’ is a more general term

Used to describe any pain in or around your bones, muscles and joints. The term ‘rheumatic disease’ is used to refer to all types of arthritis and rheumatism.

 

Four main types of rheumatic disease.

 

There are about 200 different types of rheumatic disease. They fall into four main groups:

 

1. Inflammatory arthritis

 

In these disorders the joint lining becomes inflamed. This can damage the surface of the joint and underlying bone. The rheumatoid arthritis is an example, but there are many other forms of inflammatory arthritis, including:

· Gout

· Reactive arthritis

· Arthritis associated with colitis or psoriasis

· Rarer disorders that can affect many parts of the body – the connective tissue diseases. An example is systemic lupus erythematous (SLE).

2. Osteoarthritis

 

This is a common condition where the cartilage becomes thinner and damaged and extra bone forms at the edges of the joints. It can result from abnormal stress on the joints, or from many different forms of injury or joint disease. However many cases develop without any obvious reason. The hips, knees, and hands are most likely to be affected, but osteoarthritis can occur in any joint.

 

3. Soft tissue rheumatism

 

Pain can arise from irritation of tissues around joints, such as ligaments and tendons. Minor injury or over use can result in localised pain, which often lasts only for a short period. Tennis elbow and housemaid’s knee are example. In addition, more generalised pain can develop in muscles or joints without arthritis. For example, as in ‘fibrositis’ or fibromyalgia.

 

4. Back pain

 

This common problem can arise from muscles, discs, ligaments, bones and joints. Often it is not possible to find the exact cause of the pain. Certain forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis, can affect the spine, and osteoarthritis can also affect the back, where it is usually referred to as ‘spondylosis’. Osteoporosis of the spine can show up initially as back pain.

 

Who gets arthritis and rheumatism?

 

Arthritis and rheumatism are a common, worldwide problem. They affect people regardless of age, sex, race, class or country.

 

Millions of people in Britain alone will experience some form of rheumatic complaint during the course of a year, although many people may not have persistent or severe symptoms. Around eight million will seek help their family doctor. Of these, more than one million will have osteoarthritis, and more than 350,000 have rheumatoid arthritis. Other will have a soft-tissue rheumatic complaint, backache, or osteoporosis. Some people will have one of the less common complaints and about 14,500 children and young adolescents suffer from arthritis.

 

What causes arthritis and rheumatism?

 

There is no single, simple answer to this question, and there are many different forms of arthritis to be considered.

 

We understand the causes of some diseases, such as gout, and can treat them effectively. Research supported by arc has gone a long way towards unravelling the causes of most of the common forms of arthritis, but there is still much to be done.

 

Most rheumatic diseases are due to several factors acting together. Firstly, some people are naturally more likely to suffer from certain disorders (that is genetic risk – see below). Secondly, a variety of environmental factors can trigger the condition in those who are susceptible to it. Thirdly, in some cases the condition progresses because the body cannot clear the initial reaction to the ‘trigger’. Fourthly, for many conditions there is a major element of chance.

 

1. Genetics and family risks

 

Arthritis is not infectious. Furthermore, most types are not passed on directly from one generation to another.

 

However, some forms of arthritis may run in families. The way your body is made (based on the genes passed on from your parents) make you more or less susceptible to the disease in question. ARC (Arthritis Research Campaign) supports research which is helping us to understand the precise nature of the genetic side of arthritis. We believe this could lead eventually to our being able to prevent some forms of arthritis.

 

 

 

2. Environmental and ‘trigger’ factors

 

Arthritis can start suddenly without any obvious cause, and at any age. In some conditions something in the environment – or exposure to a combination of factors – appears to be responsible. A mild infection, for example, may trigger some types of arthritis. We are actively researching in this field to find out more about these triggers.

 

3. Other factors that can affect arthritis

 

Occasionally an allergic reaction can cause short-lived arthritis. Certain foods may appear to make arthritis worse. However, diet and allergies are unlikely to cause long-term arthritis. Most of the main forms of arthritis occur all over the world, in people with completely different diet and ways of living.

 

The weather can affect symptoms, but it does not cause rheumatism or arthritis. If you have arthritis you may feel better in warm, settled weather, but arthritis also occurs in countries with a warm dry climate.