Cutaneous manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide, with women affected two to three times more commonly than men. It is characterised by destructive polyarthritis and extra-articular organ involvement, including the skin, eye, heart, lung, renal, nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Extra-articular organ involvement in RA (ExRA) is more frequently seen in patients with severe, active disease and is associated with increased mortality. Cutaneous manifestations are the most common presentation of ExRA, and are often the initial feature.