The global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 1.75% over the forecast period (2022-2030). In terms of revenue, the global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market size was valued at around $60.1B in 2021 and is projected to reach $70.1B by 2030, according to a report by Facts and Factors. The market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to growing cases of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that may either impact the joints or the surrounding areas of the human body. It is a chronic inflammatory disease and is capable of affecting body areas like the lungs, eyes, skin, blood vessels, and heart in advanced cases. When the immune system of a person mistakenly starts attacking the surrounding healthy body cells and tissues, an autoimmune disorder is set into motion. Rheumatoid arthritis differs from other arthritis forms like osteoarthritis in terms of the exact point it affects the body.
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints lining resulting in painful swelling around the part and with time causes joint deformity and bone erosion. Inflammation associated with this type of arthritis is a critical factor as it can potentially impact other body parts as well. It is a progressive disease which means that with time it only gets worse and in rare cases, it may go into remission without any external help. However, the majority of the cases require the patients to undergo long treatments as the drugs can help control the progressiveness of the disease and help manage the associated symptoms.
The global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market is anticipated to witness a high growth rate owing to the growing number of rheumatoid arthritis cases across the globe. Certain symptoms associated with the disease include stiffness in joints which is at its peak during the morning hours causing severe pain, warm and swollen joints, loss of appetite, fever, and fatigue. Early onset can start from smaller joint areas, particularly in the joints that join the toes to the feet and fingers to the hand.
As per records, around 40% of rheumatoid arthritis patients may also witness symptoms in other body parts including nerve tissue, eyes, lungs, salivary glands, and skin. The signs and symptoms vary in intensity and may sometimes not exist at all. It is 2.5 times more common in females as compared to the male population and can start as early as 16 years of age and until 40 years.
As the cases are increasing, the global market players have increased the research activities surrounding the development and production of drugs to cater to the growing demands in the healthcare sector. Most commonly, Methotrexate is the first medicine given to a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.