What are the types of autoimmune arthritis?

Autoimmune diseases cause your body’s immune system to mistakenly attack normal cells. In autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your immune system attacks the lining of your joints. This leads to inflammation that can affect your entire body. read more

What happens: This type of arthritis usually starts between ages 30 and 50, but it can start as early as childhood. It's equally common among men and women. The skin disease (psoriasis) usually shows up first. read more

Also classified as autoimmune disorders, inflammatory arthritis is a grouping of the types of arthritis involving the immune system. In autoimmune disorders, the body sends errant messages to cells with immune function, including white blood cells, instructing them to attack the body’s own tissues. read more