The Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although there have been cases of remission without rheumatoid arthritis treatment, these are not common. So you're right to be concerned. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis experience some progression of their disease during their lives.
But there are treatments that can help, and each person responds to the disease differently. What can you expect? That depends on many factors.
- How advanced your rheumatoid arthritis is at the time you are diagnosed
- Your age at the time you are diagnosed
- How "active" your disease is
Each person's rheumatoid arthritis is unique, and the disease affects each person differently. Over the long-term, though, there are a few common patterns.
- Long remissions. Remission means near-disappearance of symptoms without an actual cure. About 10% to 20% of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis have a sudden onset of the illness, but then have no symptoms for many years, even decades.
- Intermittent symptoms. About 15% to 30% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have disease that waxes and wanes slowly. They have periods of low or no symptoms that can last months between flares.
- Progressive rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, that leaves the majority of people, who have the most common and serious form of rheumatoid arthritis. Because it's progressive, it requires a long-term treatment plan and a coordinated medical team to manage the treatment and slow or stop progression.
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