AiArthritis refers to the type of inflammation-driven arthritis associated with having certain Autoimmune or Autoinflammatory Arthritis diseases ("AiArthritis Disease"). These diseases are caused by the immune system, which is a network of cells and tissues throughout the body that work to defend us from viruses, bacteria, and infection. In our diseases, immune cells target the body's own healthy tissues by mistake and signals the body to attack them.

While there is no one cause for either autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases, we do know each originates in a part of the immune system.

Combined there are over 100 autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases, but only a couple dozen include inflammatory arthritis as a major clinical component in most people ("Autoimmune Arthritis" and "Autoinflammatory Arthritis", or AiArthritis). While the arthritis unites these diseases, because they are autoimmune and autoinflammatory in nature they affect more than just the joints. The inflammation travels through the bloodstream, so these diseases affect the whole body, including tissues and organs.  

Approximately 300 million people worldwide are diagnosed with at least one AiArthritis disease. However, research suggests that over 50% of patients go undiagnosed or are diagnosed with a "undifferentiated" disease, increasing this number to an estimated 450 million.

Want to learn more about Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis Diseases? Head over to the AiArthritis website to read more...