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. 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 Symptoms of RA 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. Read more 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 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 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 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 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 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 Preparing for the festive season The festive season can be a time of great happiness. It can be a time to share gifts and to spend valuable time with loved ones. It can also be very stressful, tiring and physically demanding, especially for those with a long term condition. 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 Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Fundraising Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Blog Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Research Video Clear All Article Current campaigns Blog NRAS’s Involvement with MDR-RA research trial NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at why this happens and how care could […] Research MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at […] Article #WearPurpleForJIA 2026 Get involved with #WearPurpleForJIA and the Purple Gunge Challenge to raise vital funds and awareness for the children and young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Article A patient experience of hand surgery Back in 2017, I underwent my first-hand surgery, a tendon realignment procedure. The operation was a success, and for a while, things seemed to be on the mend. As the years passed, the tendons in my hand began to slip again. This pulled my fingers out of alignment, causing increasing discomfort. The knuckle of my […] Load more ↓ Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £5£10£20Other £15£25£48Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!
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
Symptoms of RA 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. Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
Preparing for the festive season The festive season can be a time of great happiness. It can be a time to share gifts and to spend valuable time with loved ones. It can also be very stressful, tiring and physically demanding, especially for those with a long term condition. 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 Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Fundraising Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Blog Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Research Video Clear All Article Current campaigns Blog NRAS’s Involvement with MDR-RA research trial NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at why this happens and how care could […] Research MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at […] Article #WearPurpleForJIA 2026 Get involved with #WearPurpleForJIA and the Purple Gunge Challenge to raise vital funds and awareness for the children and young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Article A patient experience of hand surgery Back in 2017, I underwent my first-hand surgery, a tendon realignment procedure. The operation was a success, and for a while, things seemed to be on the mend. As the years passed, the tendons in my hand began to slip again. This pulled my fingers out of alignment, causing increasing discomfort. The knuckle of my […] Load more ↓
Blog NRAS’s Involvement with MDR-RA research trial NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at why this happens and how care could […]
Research MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis MDR-RA: supporting research into difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis NRAS is proud to be involved in MDR-RA, a European research project that aims to improve understanding and care for people whose rheumatoid arthritis remains active despite trying several treatments. For some people, finding the right treatment can be a long and frustrating journey. MDR-RA is looking at […]
Article #WearPurpleForJIA 2026 Get involved with #WearPurpleForJIA and the Purple Gunge Challenge to raise vital funds and awareness for the children and young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Article A patient experience of hand surgery Back in 2017, I underwent my first-hand surgery, a tendon realignment procedure. The operation was a success, and for a while, things seemed to be on the mend. As the years passed, the tendons in my hand began to slip again. This pulled my fingers out of alignment, causing increasing discomfort. The knuckle of my […]
Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £5£10£20Other £15£25£48Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!