rheumatoid arthritis

noun

: a usually chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints
abbreviation RA
compare osteoarthritis

Examples of rheumatoid arthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Scientists have discovered more than 80 autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024 Topping it off, smoking can weaken bones, destroy the health of gums and cause teeth loss, increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, promote inflammation, decrease immune function, and contribute to Type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 8 Feb. 2024 Your knee can experience osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or posttraumatic arthritis.4 What Are the Symptoms? Lauren Del Turco, Health, 6 Feb. 2024 Corticosteroids can be used to treat several issues including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 Less clear is how much the virus acts as a possible springboard for other cancers, serious inflammations such as viral meningitis and an array of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Wojcicki says that the future of 23andMe is in harnessing their DNA database to find cures or treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Crohn’s disease. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024 Other diseases such as diabetes, thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity have also been shown to increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel. Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2024 This drug is approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis in Japan under the brand name Smyraf. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rheumatoid arthritis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rheumatoid arthritis was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near rheumatoid arthritis

Cite this Entry

“Rheumatoid arthritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rheumatoid%20arthritis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

rheumatoid arthritis

noun
: a usually chronic disease that is considered an autoimmune disease and is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints
abbreviation RA

called also atrophic arthritis

compare osteoarthritis

More from Merriam-Webster on rheumatoid arthritis

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