What Is The Life Expectancy Of Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Review By Doctors

Rheumatoid Arthritis image

Expert opinion from Marcelle Freire

Doctor of Medicine · 3 years of experience · Brazil

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic and progressive inflammation of the joints. The joints of the hands, feet, wrists, cervical (atlantoaxial), elbows and jaws are usually the most affected, usually sparing the thoracic and lumbar spine. It is characterized by pain and stiffness of the joint in the morning, which initially usually improves with movement. As it is an inflammatory, chronic, and progressive disease, it can affect systems other than the joints, thus having some variation in the clinical presentations of patients. With current disease-modifying therapies, patients with rheumatoid arthritis are living longer and with fewer complications and better prognoses and can even maintain normal life expectancy in cases of well-controlled disease.

Expert opinion from Sujith Chunduri

MBBS · 2 years of experience · India

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which our immune system mistakenly attacks our healthy joints. It’s difficult to predict the exact impact that rheumatoid arthritis will have on a person’s life expectancy because the course of the disease differs significantly between people. Many people continue to live with their symptoms past the age of 80 or even 90 years. In general, it is said that rheumatoid arthritis can reduce life expectancy by around 10 to 15 years.

→ Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.

→ See more questions and expert answers related to rheumatoid arthritis.

Expert opinion from Marcella Abunahman Pereira

Specialization in Clinical Cardiology · 12 years of experience · Brazil

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. More women than men have rheumatoid arthritis and it is most common in older people. When diagnosed, if the person is treated, do physical therapy, rehabilitation and have a healthy lifestyle, they can have a long-life expectancy, as well as great quality of life.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.