What is a common symptom that patients with rheumatoid arthritis may experience?

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often experience joint deformity due to the chronic inflammation that characterizes the disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane, leading to a cascade of inflammatory responses. Over time, this inflammation can result in the destruction of cartilage and bone, as well as changes in the surrounding soft tissues, which can cause the joints to become misshapen or deformed.

Joint deformity can manifest in various forms, such as swan-neck deformities or ulnar deviation, particularly in the fingers. This reflects the progressive nature of the disease, where long-term uncontrolled inflammation leads to structural changes in the joints.

Other symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis may occur, but joint deformity is a significant and common consequence that directly impacts a patient's functionality and quality of life. This is why it is recognized as one of the hallmark symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis.