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Hartford Hospital provides this resource so you can learn more about how the aging process affects every aspect of our lives: physical, mental emotional and spiritual.

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Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)

Joint symptoms usually involve three or more joints. The most commonly affected joints are the wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles.

Inflamed Joint

Joint symptoms include:

Increased pain and stiffness in the morning and after inactivity
Morning stiffness and pain that lasts more than 30 minutes
Pain and stiffness symmetrically (that is, both feet or both hands are affected, as opposed to only one)
Red, swollen, warm joints
Deformed, misshapen joints

Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

Intense fatigue, decreased energy
Muscle aches
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Fever and sweats
Depression
Problems sleeping
Anemia
Bumps occurring under the skin (rheumatoid nodules)
Inflamed blood vessels
Bleeding stomach ulcers
Inflammation of the heart’s sac ( pericarditis)
Inflammation of the heart muscle ( myocarditis)
Lung problems
Eye problems

Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/.

Ferri F, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2010. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.

Firestein ED, et al. Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/.

Last reviewed September 2011 by Marcin Chwistek, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.