Arthritis is a painful condition that affects your joints and leads to pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis (OA), characterised by wear and tear of joints, is the most common form of condition. Ageing, injury, or obesity are some of the common risk factors for OA.
But did you know that some types of arthritis can also be caused by the body’s immune system attacking the body’s own tissues? These are also called autoimmune arthritis. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Dibyendu Mukherjee, Consultant Internal Medicine/Rheumatology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, shed light on the same.
Also Read: Recognising the Red Flags: 20 Signs You Have an Autoimmune Disease
What Is An Autoimmune Disease?
In general, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system of the body works against the healthy cells of the body, assuming them as invaders, says Dr Mukherjee.
In simpler terms, the defence mechanism of the body that is supposed to fight an infection in the body starts recognising the body's own tissues as foreign particles and fights against them, consequently affecting various tissues of the body according to where they are affected, he explains further.
In the case of autoimmune arthritis, the immune system majorly attacks the joints and causes inflammation.
Types Of Arthritis That Are Autoimmune
According to Dr Mukherjee, arthritis can be divided into two categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis.
“Non-inflammatory arthritis is degenerative in nature that affects the joints and is mainly caused by ageing,” he says.
On the other hand, inflammatory arthritis includes a group of arthritis accompanied by joint pain, swelling, tenderness, and morning stiffness that lasts for an hour, as per research. This type of arthritis is closely related to autoimmune arthritis.
Some of the most common types include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation around the body, specifically in the joints. Common symptoms include chronic pain, stiffness, tenderness, heat, and swelling in the joints, which can affect daily activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.8 crore people worldwide were affected by rheumatoid arthritis in 2019, of which 70% were women and 55% were older than 55 years.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease that affects some people with psoriasis, a skin condition characterised by red, scaly patches. It leads to joint inflammation, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling, and can affect various parts of the body, including the joints, spine, and nails.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Also known as axial spondyloarthritis, it is a type of arthritis of the spine that causes swelling between the vertebrae, or back bones.
Also Read: Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects More Than Just Your Joints: Note The Unusual Symptoms Of The Condition
Reactive Arthritis
This type of arthritis is a form of autoimmune arthritis or joint inflammation that occurs as a response to an infection that takes place somewhere else in the body.
Lupus
Arthritis is a common symptom of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. Arthritis caused by lupus primarily affects small joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Dr Mukherjee notes that these kinds of arthritis affect not only the bones and joints but also other systems of the body like the kidney, heart, nerves, brain, and arteries.
Is There A Cure?
Autoimmune diseases are not curable, says Dr Mukherjee.
Hence, arthritis caused by autoimmune disease is also not curable. However, there are various management techniques.
“We can restrict the progression of the disease and halt the disease process from affecting other organs of the body to avoid further complications. We can also subside the present autoimmune state of the body so that it reverses to some extent,” says the doctor.
Following are some of the basic treatment approaches:
- Lifestyle modifications like cutting down the habit of smoking and decreasing the body weight as obesity increases the chances of autoimmune disease.
- Eating healthy and avoiding junk foods.
- Regular exercise prevents the progression of autoimmune disease.
- Certain medications are prescribed by the doctors according to the stage and type of the autoimmune disease, which have fewer side effects and are more effective.
Conclusion
Autoimmune arthritis is not curable. However, they can be managed effectively. Different types of inflammatory arthritis may require different treatment approaches, which can be recommended by doctors. It is also important to make certain lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers and support the immune system.