Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms More Severe Among Women

Women suffer more severe symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis than men, a recent study revealed.

Natiki Shuron was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about 10 years ago.

"When I first started, I was all over the place -- the pain, the depression. I didn't know they all played a part in the rheumatoid, and they were all connected," Shuron said.

Ernestine A. Wright, M.D., FACP, a board certified primary care doctor with Mercy Personal Physicians Downtown in Baltimore, explained the prevalence of the disease.

"Autoimmunity, which is really the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, is linked to genetics," Dr. Wright said. "It's thought that the female sex hormones increase the tendency for autoimmunity, and therefore, all autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, are more common in women."

She also pointed out another factor.

"There's also a thought that, it is complicated, but estrogen plays a role in the onset, the prevalence and how severe rheumatoid arthritis is," Dr. Wright added.

Shuron's main symptoms include extreme fatigue, depression and joint pain. She described her journey of trying various medications.

"I've been through a series of medications. You know, there's a table of drugs that you go through, and some didn't work and some did. So, I've gone through, I guess, over five or six drugs trying to find the right drug for me," Shuron said.

In addition to medication, Shuron is also focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"When I can exercise, you know, it helps some, but some of the symptoms hold me back from exercising and the pain that I experience," Shuron said.

Dr. Wright also advised watching out for other symptoms.

"You also want to watch out for symptoms like dry eyes and mouth, being short of breath, and even, heart palpitations," Dr. Wright explained.

View Mercy primary care specialist Dr. Ernestine Wright's interview regarding women and rheumatoid arthritis.