How rheumatoid arthritis damages the entire body
The autoimmune disorder attacks much more than just your joints.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
If you’re familiar with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it's no secret that it affects your joints, making pain a regular part of everyday life. But the autoimmune disease doesn't stop there. Many people with RA have additional problems with their heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and more, thanks largely to inflammation. Sometimes, the issues aren't caused by RA itself, but by the drugs used to treat the condition.
Here are some of the most common complications reported by people with RA, and what you can do to help lower your risk.
Written byKristen Sturt.
Medically reviewed byAmy Gonzales, MD.
Sources: Arthritis Foundation. What You Need to Know About RA and Lung Disease. Accessed October 31 + 13
- Arthritis Foundation. What You Need to Know About RA and Lung Disease. Accessed October 31, 2024.
- Shaw M, Collins BF, Ho LA, Raghu G. Rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease. Eur Respir Rev. 2015 Mar;24(135):1-16.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rheumatoid Arthritis. January 25, 2024.
- Xu Y, Wu Q. Prevalence Trend and Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis among US Adults, 2005-2018. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul 26;10(15):3289.
- Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Disease. Accessed October 31, 2024.
- Hu LJ, Ji B, Fan HX. Venous thromboembolism risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Nov;25(22):7005-7013.
- Chung WS, Peng CL, Lin CL, Chang YJ, et al. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Oct;73(10):1774-80.
- Holmqvist ME, Neovius M, Eriksson J, et al. Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Association With Disease Duration and Hospitalization. JAMA. 2012;308(13):1350–1356.
- Arthritis Foundation. RA and Gastrointestinal Problems. Accessed October 31, 2024.
- Sjogren’s Foundation. Brochures & Resource Sheets. Accessed October 31, 2024.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Is Scleritis? August 13, 2024.
- Singer D, Thompson-Leduc P, Poston S, Gupta D, et al. Incidence of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Rheumatol. 2023 Jul;50(7):873-880.
- Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid Arthritis Raises Shingles Risk. April 7, 2023.
- NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Bone Health and Osteoporosis. Reviewed May 2023.
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