extra-articular manifestations

Extra-articular manifestations are health issues that can occur outside of joints when someone has a condition like rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases. Instead of affecting just the joints, these problems can involve other parts of the body such as the eyes, skin, lungs, or blood vessels. For example, a person might develop eye inflammation or skin nodules. These manifestations reflect how the immune system's abnormal response can target different tissues, leading to additional health challenges beyond joint pain or swelling. Managing these requires comprehensive medical care to address both joint and non-joint symptoms.