M06.9: Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), coded as M06.9 in the ICD-10 WHO 2016 classification, is a chronic disease characterized primarily by joint inflammation. It's an autoimmune condition, which means that your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissues. RA primarily impacts the joints, causing symptoms like swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. These symptoms can occur in any joint but are most commonly seen in the wrists and fingers. Over time, the persistent inflammation can lead to joint damage, causing the affected areas to lose their shape and alignment. This might result in decreased mobility and function of the joints. While the exact cause of RA is unknown, both genetic predisposition and environmental factors are believed to play a significant role. In addition to joint issues, RA can also affect other systems in the body, causing symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.

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