Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and progressive joint damage. It commonly affects hands, wrists, and feet, but can involve many joints and sometimes organs such as lungs and heart. Treatment aims to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and prevent structural damage using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, and lifestyle measures. Because RA can increase cardiovascular risk, disability, and infection rates, it is an important consideration in life insurance underwriting, especially when disease is severe or poorly controlled.

Underwriters evaluating rheumatoid arthritis review rheumatology notes, lab markers, imaging, and medication history to gauge severity, progression, and treatment response. Mild, well-controlled RA with minimal joint damage and good functional status may qualify for standard or mildly rated offers, while aggressive disease with significant disability, high-dose steroids, or advanced biologic therapy often receives higher ratings. Advisors working with RA clients can improve outcomes by gathering recent specialist reports and clarifying daily activity levels. Explaining that RA affects underwriting both through joint disease and associated cardiovascular risk helps clients understand potential ratings and reinforces the value of good disease management.