topmedicaljournals.com - rheumatoid arthritis symptoms Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease primarily of the joints diartrodial. Including autoimmune disease with unknown etiology. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the membranes lining the joints (synovium) which causes pain, stiffness, warm, swollen and red. Inflammation of the synovium can invade and damage bone and cartilage. ...