Rheumatoid nodule

In rheumatoid nodules are nodes that lie under the skin and the typical for rheumatoid arthritis ( synonym: Chronic polyarthritis) are. They usually arise in the course of the disease in areas of increased pressure load, especially on the extensor surface of joints, most commonly at the elbow. Rheumatoid nodules are usually a sign of a serious disease. Since more and more patients are treated with a chronic polyarthritis earlier with long-acting anti-inflammatory drugs, the severe forms of chronic arthritis have become less frequent. An unexplained observation is the occasional occurrence of rheumatoid nodules during treatment of chronic polyarthritis with methotrexate.

Rheumatoid nodules occur in 20-25 % of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with positive rheumatoid factor are more frequently affected by rheumatoid nodules.

The size of rheumatoid nodules is variable and depends on the activity of the disease process. Through the gift of cortisol, it usually comes in a reduction of rheumatoid nodules.