There are two main types ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA) that affect adults:seropositiveandseronegative.
Knowing your RA throw in can help guide your expectations in terms of treatment.
Seropositive RA is usually more aggressive and can lead to long-term effects like joint damage.
Serdar Kutlu / Getty Images
However, both types of RA require treatment.
Your healthcare provider will design a plan that may include medication and lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms.
Serdar Kutlu / Getty Images
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
The disease may also affect other parts of the body including the lungs and heart.
The exactcause of RAis unknown, but it’s thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Seronegative RA can be challenging to diagnose and is often mistaken for another condition.
However, an effectivetreatment plancan help you manage your symptoms and slowthe disease’s progression.
Choi S, Lee K-H.
Correction:Clinical management of seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: A comparative study.PLoS ONE.
2018;13(6):e0199468.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199468
Myasoedova E, Davis J, Matteson EL, Crowson CS.Is the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis changing?
Results from a population-based incidence study, 19852014.Ann Rheum Dis.
A nationwide cohort study.
Rheumatology (Oxford).
2017;9:139-150. doi: 10.2147/OARRR.S138830
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Chou PC, Chu HY.Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review.
Evididence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.