One of the most common causes of disability among elderly people is rheumatoid arthritis – an inflammation of the joints that leads to the destruction of cartilage and adjacent bone. In most cases, years pass between the appearance of this disease first symptoms and its diagnosis. During this time, irreversible destructive processes occur in the joints. Most advanced methods are used in Israeli clinics for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with the achievement of complete remission, even in patients who could not be helped in their home countries after a long unsuccessful therapy.
Risk factors
The true causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still not fully understood, but there are some statistics.
- Women are three times more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis than men.
- People in the age group of 45-65 years are most susceptible to this disease.
- Heredity and genetic characteristics of the immune system.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Previous infectious diseases (mumps, herpes, hepatitis B, measles, etc.)
- Endocrine pathologies.
- Injuries.
Smoking, hypothermia, excessive tanning, intoxication and other adverse factors can also provoke joint inflammation. There is a theory that frequent severe stress causes autoimmune inflammation of the joints. This often explains the high incidence of the disease among women, who tolerate stressful situations harder than men.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Due to the blurred clinical picture, rheumatoid arthritis is usually diagnosed in the late stages, when the destructive processes in the cartilage and bone tissue are already irreversible. Even the slightest pain and stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning should be considered the first ‘alarm bells’.
Further, the pain will increase and spread to symmetrical joints (knee, ankle, hip, jaw). There is a noticeable swelling in the area of the affected joint. Without proper treatment, these symptoms will be accompanied by fever and muscle aches. A slight increase in temperature up to 38°C is possible.
About a third of patients with arthritis complain of dryness of the oral and eye mucosa. This condition is called Sjogren’s syndrome. A quarter of all patients have subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules on the surface of the joint fold. Osteoporosis develops on the bone next to the affected cartilage joint tissue.
Diagnostics
WiIn case of an incorrect diagnosis and long-term unsuccessful treatment, rheumatoid arthritis leads to disability in 10 years. That is why in Israeli clinics, great importance is paid to the accurate diagnosis and determination of the main cause of inflammatory processes in the joints. A complex of examinations is carried out using the most advanced diagnostic equipment for this purpose.
- Laboratory blood test. Almost 90% of people with the disease are tested positive for rheumatoid factor. Highly sensitive test systems, including Anti-CCP, are used in Israeli clinics. This test allows to accurately make a diagnosis and exclude the possibility of other diseases with similar symptoms. Such blood tests as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) also show the intensity of inflammation.
- Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (CT, MRI, and PET).
- Ultrasound examination.
- Radiography.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Israel
- Biotherapy. Israeli clinics were among the first in the world to use innovative drugs based on monoclonal antibodies that stop the autoimmune destruction of joint cartilage tissues. Biotherapy is effective for patients with autoimmune arthritis – about two-thirds of all patients. Efficiency exceeds 70%.
- Medication therapy with the latest generation of drugs (anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressants, drugs reducing uric acid in the blood, etc.).
- Endoprosthetics. Minimally invasive joint replacement surgery is performed in the late stages.
The high efficiency of the treatment of arthritis and the worldwide recognition of the qualifications of Israeli doctors, the use of innovative methods of therapy, the most modern equipment and the highest service have made Israel a center of medical tourism for people suffering from rheumatoid diseases from all over the world.