Running head: EVALUATION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chamberlain College of Nursing

NR503: Population Health Epidemiology and Statistical Principles

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EVALUATION OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that is characterized by

inflammation of the synovial membrane in the joints (Aletaha, & Smolen, 2018). It is

common disease worldwide and continues to progressively provide optimal outcomes as

a better understanding of the disease process is being discovered. The purpose of this

paper is to discuss the significance of RA, current surveillance methods, descriptive

epidemiology analysis, screening and diagnosis, and a plan of action to address the

prevalence of RA.

Background and Significance of RA

The Mayo Clinic (2019) defines arthritis as the inflammation and tenderness

involving one or more than one of the joints in the body. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

specifically affects the synovial membrane of the joint causing inflammation and

discomfort due the destruction of the articular cartilage and articular bone (Aletaha &

Smolen, 2018). RA is caused by an autoimmune response where the body’s immune

system is known to attack its own healthy cells (CDC, 2019). RA commonly affects the

joints in the hands, wrists, and knees, but is not limited to these areas. The signs and

symptoms of RA include flare-ups and remission periods. During a flare, a person might

experience rheumatoid nodules, pain or achiness of the joints, stiffness in the joints,

tenderness and swelling in one or more joints, weight loss, fever, tiredness, or weakness

throughout the body, as well as cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2019).

There are an estimated number of about 54.4 million adults, equal to or over the

age of 18, which have been diagnosed with arthritis in the United States (Guglielmo et al.

2019). The most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report written in May of 2019

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