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 NRAS Rheum For Inclusion Member NRAS is currently seeking to recruit five new members for our Rheum for Inclusion board. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and are hoping to represent all the different geographical locations in the UK (including Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland). We are also committed to our members being representative of region, age, religion, profession, […] Article Remote Monitoring in Rheumatoid Arthritis Project NRAS are supporting the following project. Please read and if interested get involved! You need to live in South London to take part and be a patient at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Do you live in south London and have experience […] Article Volunteers needed for a University of Birmingham Research Project The Rheumatology Research Group at the University of Birmingham are developing two videos for people who are considering whether or not to take part in a research study about Rheumatoid Arthritis. One video will be about what it’s like to take part in a clinical study/trial. The second will be about what it’s like to […] Video Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations 26/05/2021 Clare Jacklin (NRAS CEO) is joined by Dr Lizzy MacPhie for an update on COVID-19 Vaccinations. Article Global Rheumatology Alliance COVID-19 Vaccine Survey If you are 18 years or older and have a rheumatic disease, please consider participating in this survey. You are eligible to take the survey whether or not you received the COVID-19 vaccine. GRA will not collect personal information such as name, email address, IP address, or other data that will make you easily identifiable. […] 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 NRAS Rheum For Inclusion Member NRAS is currently seeking to recruit five new members for our Rheum for Inclusion board. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and are hoping to represent all the different geographical locations in the UK (including Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland). We are also committed to our members being representative of region, age, religion, profession, […] Article Remote Monitoring in Rheumatoid Arthritis Project NRAS are supporting the following project. Please read and if interested get involved! You need to live in South London to take part and be a patient at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Do you live in south London and have experience […] Article Volunteers needed for a University of Birmingham Research Project The Rheumatology Research Group at the University of Birmingham are developing two videos for people who are considering whether or not to take part in a research study about Rheumatoid Arthritis. One video will be about what it’s like to take part in a clinical study/trial. The second will be about what it’s like to […] Video Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations 26/05/2021 Clare Jacklin (NRAS CEO) is joined by Dr Lizzy MacPhie for an update on COVID-19 Vaccinations. Article Global Rheumatology Alliance COVID-19 Vaccine Survey If you are 18 years or older and have a rheumatic disease, please consider participating in this survey. You are eligible to take the survey whether or not you received the COVID-19 vaccine. GRA will not collect personal information such as name, email address, IP address, or other data that will make you easily identifiable. […] Load more ↓
Article NRAS Rheum For Inclusion Member NRAS is currently seeking to recruit five new members for our Rheum for Inclusion board. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and are hoping to represent all the different geographical locations in the UK (including Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland). We are also committed to our members being representative of region, age, religion, profession, […]
Article Remote Monitoring in Rheumatoid Arthritis Project NRAS are supporting the following project. Please read and if interested get involved! You need to live in South London to take part and be a patient at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, or Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Do you live in south London and have experience […]
Article Volunteers needed for a University of Birmingham Research Project The Rheumatology Research Group at the University of Birmingham are developing two videos for people who are considering whether or not to take part in a research study about Rheumatoid Arthritis. One video will be about what it’s like to take part in a clinical study/trial. The second will be about what it’s like to […]
Video Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations Facebook Live: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations 26/05/2021 Clare Jacklin (NRAS CEO) is joined by Dr Lizzy MacPhie for an update on COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Article Global Rheumatology Alliance COVID-19 Vaccine Survey If you are 18 years or older and have a rheumatic disease, please consider participating in this survey. You are eligible to take the survey whether or not you received the COVID-19 vaccine. GRA will not collect personal information such as name, email address, IP address, or other data that will make you easily identifiable. […]
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!