Information Our information section is where you’ll find all our information on RA, including what symptoms to expect, how it is diagnosed and treated and tools to you to cope with your RA. 01. Coronavirus and RA Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their families will be concerned about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects them. Here is a summary of all the important information that you need to know about Coronavirus and RA. Read more 02. What is RA? Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the symptoms such as pain and inflammation are caused by the immune system attacking the joints. Read more 03. RA symptoms RA is a systemic condition, meaning that it can affect the body all over. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, and this can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. RA symptoms 04. RA diagnosis and possible causes RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. Around 50% of the cause of RA is genetic factors. The rest is made up of what’s referred to as ‘environmental’ factors, such as whether you smoke or are overweight. Read more 05. RA medication RA is a very variable condition so, doctors do not start all patients in exactly the same way on the same drug regimen. The treatments given and the order they are tried on will depend on factors such as symptoms, the length of time you may have had the disease prior to diagnosis and test results. Read more 06. RA healthcare In this section, you will find articles on the people involved in treating RA, the ‘standards of care’ best practice models for clinical practice and information on the monitoring and management of RA from your healthcare team. Read more 07. Living with RA Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had RA for some time, there can still be a lot to understand about living with this disease. Hearing other people’s stories can help and you may also need specific information on topics such as work, benefits and pregnancy/parenthood. Read more 08. Managing your RA There is good evidence to show that self-management works to improve outcomes for people with conditions such as RA. Self-management takes on many forms, including changes to exercise, diet, smoker status and through the use of healthcare apps, including a number that NRAS has been involved in developing. Read more Search for resources Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am… Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic… About NRAS COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self Care Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Publication Video Clear All Article FAQs on New Antiviral Treatment Who is eligible for the treatment? The official list of those eligible can be found in appendix 1 of the clinical commissioning policy published on the 24th of December 2021. See the full, published policy here. With regards to rheumatoid arthritis and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, the following have been identified: IMID treated with rituximab or other […] Publication Research Priorities in Psoriatic Arthritis Introduction This process aimed to identify and prioritise the Top 10 research questions or evidence uncertainties for psoriatic arthritis in adults. A Priority Setting Partnership aims to help ensure that those who fund health research know what really matters to people living with psoriatic arthritis, their carers and clinicians. Methods The British Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium […] Article Office Admin Assistant The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), is the only patient-led organisation in the UK specialising in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Due to its targeted focus on RA and JIA, NRAS provides truly expert and wide-ranging services to support, educate and campaign for people living with these complex autoimmune conditions, their families […] Article Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape and highlighted the importance of supported self-management By Ailsa Bosworth, MBE As we begin 2022, I’ve taken time out to reflect on what has happened in healthcare delivery generally, but especially within rheumatology, and many of you will be aware that we have produced resources to […] Video How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation In this introduction video we are joined by Tracy French, Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist at University Hospitals Bristol. Tracy runs through the ‘ASK’ approach and how to approach your RA journey. For more videos like this, information on medicines, patient stories and all things Rheumatoid Arthritis, please consider subscribing […] Load more ↓ Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!
01. Coronavirus and RA Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their families will be concerned about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects them. Here is a summary of all the important information that you need to know about Coronavirus and RA. Read more
02. What is RA? Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the symptoms such as pain and inflammation are caused by the immune system attacking the joints. Read more
03. RA symptoms RA is a systemic condition, meaning that it can affect the body all over. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, and this can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. RA symptoms
04. RA diagnosis and possible causes RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. Around 50% of the cause of RA is genetic factors. The rest is made up of what’s referred to as ‘environmental’ factors, such as whether you smoke or are overweight. Read more
05. RA medication RA is a very variable condition so, doctors do not start all patients in exactly the same way on the same drug regimen. The treatments given and the order they are tried on will depend on factors such as symptoms, the length of time you may have had the disease prior to diagnosis and test results. Read more
06. RA healthcare In this section, you will find articles on the people involved in treating RA, the ‘standards of care’ best practice models for clinical practice and information on the monitoring and management of RA from your healthcare team. Read more
07. Living with RA Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had RA for some time, there can still be a lot to understand about living with this disease. Hearing other people’s stories can help and you may also need specific information on topics such as work, benefits and pregnancy/parenthood. Read more
08. Managing your RA There is good evidence to show that self-management works to improve outcomes for people with conditions such as RA. Self-management takes on many forms, including changes to exercise, diet, smoker status and through the use of healthcare apps, including a number that NRAS has been involved in developing. Read more
Search for resources Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am… Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic… About NRAS COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self Care Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Publication Video Clear All Article FAQs on New Antiviral Treatment Who is eligible for the treatment? The official list of those eligible can be found in appendix 1 of the clinical commissioning policy published on the 24th of December 2021. See the full, published policy here. With regards to rheumatoid arthritis and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, the following have been identified: IMID treated with rituximab or other […] Publication Research Priorities in Psoriatic Arthritis Introduction This process aimed to identify and prioritise the Top 10 research questions or evidence uncertainties for psoriatic arthritis in adults. A Priority Setting Partnership aims to help ensure that those who fund health research know what really matters to people living with psoriatic arthritis, their carers and clinicians. Methods The British Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium […] Article Office Admin Assistant The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), is the only patient-led organisation in the UK specialising in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Due to its targeted focus on RA and JIA, NRAS provides truly expert and wide-ranging services to support, educate and campaign for people living with these complex autoimmune conditions, their families […] Article Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape and highlighted the importance of supported self-management By Ailsa Bosworth, MBE As we begin 2022, I’ve taken time out to reflect on what has happened in healthcare delivery generally, but especially within rheumatology, and many of you will be aware that we have produced resources to […] Video How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation In this introduction video we are joined by Tracy French, Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist at University Hospitals Bristol. Tracy runs through the ‘ASK’ approach and how to approach your RA journey. For more videos like this, information on medicines, patient stories and all things Rheumatoid Arthritis, please consider subscribing […] Load more ↓
Article FAQs on New Antiviral Treatment Who is eligible for the treatment? The official list of those eligible can be found in appendix 1 of the clinical commissioning policy published on the 24th of December 2021. See the full, published policy here. With regards to rheumatoid arthritis and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, the following have been identified: IMID treated with rituximab or other […]
Publication Research Priorities in Psoriatic Arthritis Introduction This process aimed to identify and prioritise the Top 10 research questions or evidence uncertainties for psoriatic arthritis in adults. A Priority Setting Partnership aims to help ensure that those who fund health research know what really matters to people living with psoriatic arthritis, their carers and clinicians. Methods The British Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium […]
Article Office Admin Assistant The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), is the only patient-led organisation in the UK specialising in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Due to its targeted focus on RA and JIA, NRAS provides truly expert and wide-ranging services to support, educate and campaign for people living with these complex autoimmune conditions, their families […]
Article Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape Reflections on how COVID has changed the health landscape and highlighted the importance of supported self-management By Ailsa Bosworth, MBE As we begin 2022, I’ve taken time out to reflect on what has happened in healthcare delivery generally, but especially within rheumatology, and many of you will be aware that we have produced resources to […]
Video How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation How to Approach Your Rheumatology Consultation In this introduction video we are joined by Tracy French, Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist at University Hospitals Bristol. Tracy runs through the ‘ASK’ approach and how to approach your RA journey. For more videos like this, information on medicines, patient stories and all things Rheumatoid Arthritis, please consider subscribing […]
Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!