Yes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when a person’s immune system attacks the body’s tissues, damaging their joints.

In RA, immune cells cause inflammation in the synovium, the lining of a person’s joints. The autoimmune process may begin years before a person develops symptoms and may start elsewhere in the body before presenting in the joints.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), it is unclear exactly what triggers the immune system to do this in a person with RA. However, the interaction of genetic and environmental factors may be the cause.

Certain people, such as those with a family history of RA, may have a higher risk of developing the condition.

However, if someone has repeated exposure to an environmental trigger, their immune response may also repeatedly activate and trigger the development of certain antibodies typically associated with RA.

Although there is no single test to diagnose RA, blood tests may allow healthcare professionals to look for certain autoimmune markers and antibodies that signal the condition.

For example, many people with RA have antibodies called rheumatoid factors in their blood. This antibody is a type of protein that the immune system typically uses to protect the body.

Doctors may also test for cyclic citrullinated antibody (CCP Ab), which is a more specific autoantibody for RA.

Not everyone with RA will have high levels of rheumatoid factors, and some people without RA can have high levels. Therefore, doctors will use a variety of diagnostic steps to diagnose a person, not just one.

To treat RA, healthcare professionals may prescribe immunosuppressant medications, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics.

Immunosuppressant drugs suppress parts of the immune system to slow or stop it from attacking a person’s body. This can help to reduce inflammation in RA and prevent or slow further joint damage.

Different immunosuppressant drugs have different effects on a person’s immune system. People with RA can speak with their healthcare team if they want to learn more about the options available to them.