[Epidemiology, manifestations and complications of chronic polyarthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory systemic disease mainly affecting the joints. Frequent extra-articular manifestations are often recognized too late. Particularly the skin, the cardiovascular system, the kidneys, the eyes, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver, the nervous system and the blood may be involved. Examples of important complications affecting different organs are bacterial infections, AA-amyloidosis and hyperviscosity syndrome. Current data on the different disease manifestations and complications provide the basis for the assessment of the morbidity and mortality relevant for insurance purposes.