Rheumatoid arthritis affects around one per cent of the UK population, making it the second most common form of arthritis. It is an inflammatory disease that largely affects joints such as the hands, feet and wrists, which become swollen, red and painful. However, as it is an autoimmune condition, any part of the body can be affected, including the heart, lungs and eyes.

It is not known what triggers RA, but factors commonly include genetics, gender (similar to OA, women are affected more than men), smoking and age (RA usually appears between 40 and 60 years). Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually develop gradually over the course of several weeks or months, although some people experience a sudden onset over a few days, with the affected joints becoming stiff (particularly in the morning or after a period of inactivity), painful and swollen. The sufferer may also feel tired and unwell on a more general basis, perhaps suffering from a fever, sweating or appetite loss.

As the condition is caused by inflammation, symptoms may also be present elsewhere in the body. These may include dry eyes, nodule formation near affected joints and other issues such as problems with the lungs, nerves, blood vessels or even the heart. If RA is not managed appropriately, joints may become permanently damaged and the individual may be at an increased risk of other health problems such as osteoporosis, anaemia, infection, cardiovascular disease, malignancy and mental health conditions, (e.g. depression and anxiety).

The costs associated with RA are high, not just because of the burden placed on the NHS, but also to sufferers, carers, and society as a whole, as around a third of patients stop working within two years of the disease first manifesting.