What are the complications that can develop due to Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis requires extensive treatment of drugs that often come with a lot of side effects. Therefore, apart from slowing the progression of the disease, they also present with a lot of complications. These complications have been listed down below;
- Osteoporosis- The continuous steroid therapy for decreasing the rates of inflammation also causes the bones to weaken and hence there is early onset of osteoporosis in these individuals.
- Osteopenia- This refers to the loss of bone mass, which also happens due to the high doses of glucocorticoids.
- Pulmonary diseases- The increased use of methotrexate and TNF blockers result in the development of pleuritis, bronchiolitis, as well as interstitial fibrosis.
- Thromboembolic disease- Many individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis suffer from some form of vascular disorder, and are at an increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke.
- Depression- Lack of physical exercise and inability to move around makes the person extremely depressed.
- Anemia- With the persistence of any chronic disease, anemia always develops, as iron stores get depleted and the person feels more fatigued.
