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    3. Rheumatology
    4. Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Rheumatoid Arthritis

    At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, our rheumatology specialists assess, diagnose, and treat rheumatoid arthritis.

    Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune condition. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis, this causes inflammation in the joints. Over time, inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and joint damage.

    Our specialists use diagnostic testing, advanced imaging and a consultant-led approach to understand your symptoms and create a personalised treatment plan that supports your long-term joint health.

    • Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints.

      Over time, this inflammation can damage cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function. 

      Unlike osteoarthritis, which develops through wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis is driven by immune system activity and may affect multiple joints simultaneously. 

      In some people, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, and heart. 

    • Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms often develop slowly. They may come and go or change over time. 

      Common symptoms include: 

      • Joint pain 
      • Joint swelling 
      • Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes 
      • Warmth around affected joints 
      • Fatigue 
      • Low-grade fever 
      • Weakness 
      • Reduced mobility 
      • Difficulty using affected joints 

      Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects:

      • Hands 
      • Wrists 
      • Fingers 
      • Feet 
      • Ankles 

      Symptoms often occur on both sides of the body. 

      Without appropriate treatment, ongoing inflammation can lead to permanent joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment can help protect your joints and support your quality of life. 

    • The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. 

       

      Researchers believe rheumatoid arthritis may develop because of a combination of: 

      • Genetic factors 
      • Immune system changes
      • Environmental triggers 
      • Hormonal influences

      Several factors may increase risk, including: 

      • Family history of rheumatoid arthritis
      • Smoking 
      • Obesity 
      • Sex
      • Increasing age 

      As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, symptoms occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy joint tissue. 

    • Consider making an appointment with a rheumatology specialist if you have joint pain, swelling or stiffness that lasts for several weeks.

      You may benefit from specialist assessment if you have:

      • Swollen joints 
      • Morning stiffness
      • Pain affecting several joints
      • Symptoms affecting both sides of the body
      • Unexplained fatigue 
      • Reduced hand function 
      • Difficult completing daily activities 

      Early diagnosis is one of the most important factors in preventing long-term joint damage. Prompt evaluation by a rheumatoid arthritis specialist can help identify the condition early and guide the right treatment plan. 

    • A timely diagnosis can help you start treatment before permanent joint damage develops.

      At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, our consultants perform a comprehensive assessment. This may include: 

      • A detailed discussion of medical history 
      • A physical examination 
      • A review of symptoms 
      • An assessment of which joints are affected 

      Tests for rheumatoid arthritis may include: 

      • Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood testing 
      • Anti-CCP antibody testing 
      • Blood tests that look for signs of inflammation, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, and C-reactive protein, or CRP
      • X-rays 
      • Ultrasound imaging 
      • MRI scanning 

      No single test can confirm rheumatoid arthritis on its own. Your specialist will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, examination, blood test results and imaging findings. Our specialists use advanced diagnostics to provide an accurate diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway. 

    • Treatment aims to reduce inflammation, ease symptoms, prevent your joints, and help you stay active. 

      Your personalised treatment plan may include: 

      • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, also called DMARDs (Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Leflunomide and Hydroxychloroquine). These medicines help slow the disease and protect the joints.
      • Biologic therapies, which target specific parts of the immune system (Eg. Adalimumab, Etanercept, Tocilizumab, Rituximab).
      • Targeted synthetic medicines, which help reduce inflammation by blocking certain immune system signals (eg Upadacitinib).
      • Anti-inflammatory medicines to help reduce pain and swelling.
      • Physical therapy to support strength, movement and function.
      • Lifestyle and exercise recommendations.
      • Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care.

      Our rheumatoid arthritis specialists tailor treatment plans to your disease activity, symptoms, and long-term health goals. 

    • At Mayo Clinic Healthcare London, patients benefit from access to experienced rheumatoid arthritis private consultants and a collaborative approach for autoimmune conditions. 

      When you choose Mayo Clinic Healthcare, you benefit from: 

      • Experienced rheumatoid arthritis specialists 
      • Advanced diagnostic testing and imaging 
      • Personalised treatment planning 
      • Multidisciplinary care and specialist collaboration 
      • Ongoing monitoring and long-term disease management 

      Our approach combines specialist assessment, diagnostic expertise and evidence-based treatment to support people living with rheumatoid arthritis.

    Private health insurance 

    Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers to provide a private ECG in London, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA.

    If you do not have insurance, self-pay options are available, and our team will be happy to guide you through pricing and appointment arrangements.

    Book a rheumatoid arthritis assessment 

    If you are experiencing ongoing joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, our team is here to help. 

    Our rheumatoid arthritis private consultants provide expert assessment, advanced testing, and personalised treatment plans designed to support your long-term joint health. 

    ​Request an appointment today or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to arrange your rheumatoid arthritis consultation at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. 

     

    Medically Reviewed by

    Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist

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