 Hi, I'm Dr. Vijay Rao. I'm a consultant working in the rheumatology department in Manipal Hospital's Bangalore. Rheumatoid arthritis is nothing but pain-swelling stiffness affecting the small joints of the body, mainly the hands and feet. Three times more commonly affected in women and seen more commonly in 40 to 60-year-age group. Predominantly it affects joints but can affect other organs as well.