Neurologic Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease that carries a substantial burden for patients and society. RA is estimated to have a prevalence of 0.5--1{\%} of all adults, with a female predominance of 2--3 times more than men. RA primarily affects synovial joints, but it may also have extra-articular manifestations such as rheumatoid nodules, pulmonary involvement, or vasculitis, among other systemic comorbidities. The nervous system is not typically involved in RA, but if present, it may involve both the central and peripheral nervous systems as a result of many factors including mechanical processes, vasculitis, and a reflection of systemic disease. Therapies for RA have changed dramatically over the past several decades. Current therapies can result in substantial benefit for most patients, particularly those with early diagnosis, and nearly 50{\%} of patients achieve remission with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The morbidity and mortality for RA has been steadily decreasing with the advent of more effective therapies.