ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis. It explores effects of exercise on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and systemic manifestations. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was first described in the 1800s as a new form of gout under the designation ‘primary asthenic gout’. Among RA patients, disability, often manifesting as premature work cessation, is a common feature. The aetiology of RA is not clear. It is believed that RA is triggered when an immunogenetically susceptible host is exposed to an antigen. Inflammation is considered the hallmark of RA and contributes to the main symptomatology of the disease, particularly pain, fatigue and functional disability. RA has significant systemic involvement: namely, skin, ocular, oral, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, neurological and haematological manifestations that vary according to disease severity. Research studies investigating the effects of exercise on the aforementioned manifestations are currently lacking.
