Fatigue
The majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from some form of fatigue, often chronic fatigue that is associated with acute flare-up episodes. This symptom is not only physical but also features mental exhaustion and constant weariness. The difference between fatigue and normal tiredness is that patients may wake up from a restful night feeling overwhelmingly tired, a sensation that does not easily go away.
Around 80% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases suffer from chronic fatigue, and half of them may experience very severe symptoms, which are made even worse during acute episodes. This symptom has a significant burden on their quality of life, and it is often associated with depression, poor sleep, and other medical conditions such as obesity and metabolic disease.