Can Arthritis Go Into Remission and What Does That Mean?

Yes, arthritis can go into remission, but this does not mean you are cured. When we ask, “can arthritis go into remission,” the answer is yes, as remission indicates that you do not have symptoms and your inflammation is under control.

Recent studies show that about 31% of people with rheumatoid arthritis achieve remission by following strict guidelines. Additionally, up to 50.9% can reach remission with less strict rules.

When you attain remission, you often feel better and enjoy life more, experiencing less pain, increased energy, and improved mental health.

Key Takeaways

• Arthritis can go into remission. This means symptoms go away and inflammation is managed. Remission is not a cure.
• Symptoms might come back, so you need to keep seeing your doctor. Starting treatment early helps you reach remission. Healthy habits, like eating well and moving often, help with remission and your health.
• Seeing your doctor often helps track your condition and spot flare-ups fast. Knowing flare signs helps you act fast and stop symptoms from getting worse.
• Working with your doctor is very important. Talking openly helps you get better care. Support from friends, family, or groups helps you handle arthritis and enjoy life.

Can Arthritis Go Into Remission?

When you ask, “can arthritis go into remission,” you want to know if your symptoms can disappear and if your life can return to normal.

The answer is yes, but it is not common for everyone. Remission means your arthritis becomes quiet. You do not feel pain, swelling, or stiffness.

Your doctor may not see signs of inflammation in your joints. This state is possible, especially with early and effective treatment, but it remains rare for some types, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

What Remission Means

No Symptoms

You know you are in remission when you wake up without joint pain or swelling. You move easily and do not feel tired all the time. Doctors call this the absence of symptoms.

You can do your daily activities without trouble. Many people in remission report that their pain and fatigue scores drop to very low levels.

For example, in one study, people who reached remission had much lower pain and fatigue than those who did not.

Inflammation Controlled

Remission also means your body has stopped attacking your joints. Your immune system calms down. Doctors check your blood for signs of inflammation, like C-reactive protein (CRP).

If your CRP is low, it shows your inflammation is under control. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) use strict rules to define remission. These include:

• One or fewer tender or swollen joints
• CRP level of 1 mg/dL or less
• Your own rating of arthritis activity at 1 or less on a 0–10 scale
• Or a Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score of 3.3 or less

Your doctor may use these numbers to track your progress and decide if you have reached remission.

Remission vs. Cure

You may wonder if remission means you are cured. Remission is not a cure. When you are in remission, your arthritis is quiet, but it can come back.

You still need to see your doctor and sometimes take medicine. A cure means the disease is gone forever, but remission means you have a break from symptoms.

Doctors use different tools to measure remission. Some tools are stricter than others. The table below shows how many people reach remission using different criteria:

You can see that the chance of remission changes depending on the tool your doctor uses. Some tools, like DAS28-CRP, show higher rates, while others, like CDAI, show lower rates.

Doctors have learned that more people can reach remission today than in the past. New treatments and early care help you get better results. In one study, over 150 people with RA reached remission without needing long-term medication. They had almost normal function and very little pain.

You might ask, “can arthritis go into remission for everyone?” The answer is no. Remission is possible, but it is rare for some types, like RA, where less than 5% of people stay in remission for a long time. Early treatment, the type of arthritis you have, and your overall health all play a role.

Measuring Remission

When you want to know if you have reached remission, your doctor uses several ways to check. These methods help you and your doctor see if your arthritis is under control.

You will see that measuring remission is not just about how you feel. It also includes what your doctor sees and what lab tests show.

Clinical Criteria

Doctors use clear rules to decide if you are in remission. These rules look at your symptoms, blood tests, and how you rate your own health.

Symptom Check

Your doctor will ask about your pain, swelling, and stiffness. You may answer questions like, “How many joints hurt today?” or “Do you feel tired?” Doctors look for very few or no tender or swollen joints. If you have one or fewer swollen or tender joints, you may meet the first step for remission.

Lab Tests

Lab tests give more information. Your doctor may order a blood test to check your C-reactive protein (CRP) level. A low CRP means less inflammation in your body.

Doctors also use your own rating of your arthritis activity. You might rate your symptoms on a scale from 0 to 10. If your score is 1 or less, this is a good sign.

Here is a table showing the most common clinical criteria for remission in rheumatoid arthritis:

Patient Reports

Your own experience matters a lot. Doctors want to know how you feel each day. You may fill out forms about your pain, fatigue, and how well you can do daily tasks. These reports help your doctor understand your life with arthritis.

• Your view of pain, tiredness, and independence helps your doctor see the full picture.
• Sharing your feelings and challenges makes it easier to track your progress.
• Including your opinion improves how doctors measure remission and low disease activity.

Always tell your doctor about any changes in your symptoms. Your voice is important in your care.

Doctor Tools

Doctors use special tools to measure remission. These tools combine your symptoms, lab results, and your own reports.

Here are some of the main tools:

These tools help your doctor decide if you have reached remission. They also guide your treatment plan. When you ask, “can arthritis go into remission,” these measurements give you and your doctor the answer.

Remission Likelihood

When you ask, “can arthritis go into remission,” you want to know your chances. Remission can happen, but not for everyone.

Many things affect your chance of reaching remission. You can do better if you know these things and work with your doctor.

Influencing Factors

Early Treatment

Starting treatment early gives you the best chance. People who get help soon after symptoms start do better. If you take medicine within six months, you may have a better result.

Some medicines, like upadacitinib or adalimumab, help lower pain and tiredness. You can move better and feel happier for over a year if you reach remission early.

The AVERT study showed that people with early, active rheumatoid arthritis did better after 12 months with abatacept plus methotrexate than with methotrexate alone.

Arthritis Type

The kind of arthritis you have changes your chances. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis all have different remission rates.

New studies show remission is happening more often for both RA and PsA. In Sweden, doctors found similar remission rates for RA and PsA. But experts still talk about the best way to measure remission, especially for PsA.

Health & Lifestyle

Your age, health, and habits matter too. Younger people have a better chance of remission. The highest rates are in people aged 30-39, with up to 59% reaching remission.

If you have had arthritis for a short time, you are more likely to get remission. Staying active, eating healthy, and following your treatment plan help you reach your goals. Less severe disease and using methotrexate longer also help your chances.

You can improve your odds by working with your doctor, starting treatment early, and making healthy choices every day.

Research & Rates

Doctors keep studying remission rates for different types of arthritis. New findings show remission is possible for many, but staying in remission is rare.

For RA, less than 5% of people stay in remission for a long time. PsA has a wider range, with some studies showing rates as high as 73%.

Ongoing research helps doctors find better ways to measure and report remission. You can feel hopeful, because new treatments and early care make remission easier to reach than before.

Treatment in Remission

When you reach remission, your treatment plan might change. Your doctor will help you decide what to do next. You might wonder if you can stop or lower your medicine. You also need to know how to stay healthy and avoid flares.

Medication Changes

Your medicine plan may change when you are in remission. Doctors usually go slow and careful. They want to keep your arthritis calm and protect your joints.

Tapering

You and your doctor might talk about lowering your medicine dose. This is called tapering. Some doctors want you to stay on the same medicine to stop flares. Others may say you can lower your dose or even stop for a while.

When someone is in remission, doctors often keep them on their medicine. Sometimes, doctors may lower, change, or stop medicine after remission.

Many doctors like to lower doses to keep remission. Taking a break from medicine could be an option. If you reach remission, you and your doctor can talk about the good and bad of stopping medicine.

If your symptoms come back or your lab tests change, your doctor may change your medicine again.

If someone in remission starts having symptoms or lab changes, doctors may need to change their medicine.

Risks

Lowering medicine can help with side effects, but it has risks. You have a bigger chance of a flare if you lower or stop your medicine.

The table below shows how different plans affect flare rates:

You can see that staying on your regular dose keeps you flare-free more often. Lowering your dose makes flares more likely. If you stop medicine, your risk goes up even more.

Monitoring

You need regular check-ups, even in remission. Your doctor will look for signs of a flare. Lab tests, joint checks, and your own reports help track your health. If you feel new pain or swelling, tell your doctor right away. Acting early can stop bigger problems.

Doctor Partnership

Working with your doctor helps you stay in remission. You are an important part of your care. Talking openly and making choices together makes your treatment safer and better.

• Patients and doctors now talk more and make choices together.
• Patients help manage their disease, which helps keep remission.
• New rules say patients and doctors should decide together, and learning helps patients feel stronger.

You and your doctor are a team. You learn about your choices and pick the best plan together. This teamwork gives you the best chance to stay healthy and enjoy life in remission.

Maintaining Remission

Staying in remission gives you the best chance to enjoy life with less pain and more energy. You can take steps every day to help keep your arthritis quiet. Healthy habits, regular check-ups, and knowing the signs of a flare all play a role.

Lifestyle Tips

You can support your remission by making smart choices in your daily life. These habits help your joints, boost your mood, and lower your risk of flares.

Diet & Exercise

• Eat more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatty fish. These foods help calm your immune system.
• Drink enough water each day. Good hydration keeps your joints moving smoothly.
• If you carry extra weight, losing some can take pressure off your joints and make movement easier.
• Try low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, or yoga. These activities build muscle and improve flexibility without hurting your joints.
• Limit processed foods and red meat. These can increase inflammation in your body.

Small changes in your meals and movement can make a big difference over time.

Stress

Stress can trigger inflammation and make arthritis worse. You can manage stress with simple techniques.

• Practice deep breathing or meditation to relax your mind and body.
• Set a regular sleep schedule. Good sleep helps your body heal and reduces pain.
• Avoid smoking and keep alcohol use low. These habits can harm your joints and raise inflammation.

Taking care of your mind is just as important as caring for your body.

Check-Ups

Regular check-ups help you and your doctor catch problems early. Most people in remission prefer to get checked at every hospital visit or at least some visits. The table below shows how often people like you want check-ups:

You should talk with your doctor about how often you need check-ups. Regular visits help track your symptoms, check your joints, and review your lab results.

Flare Warning Signs

Even in remission, you need to watch for signs that your arthritis might return. Early warning signs help you act fast and prevent bigger problems.

• Notice if your pain, swelling, or stiffness starts to increase.
• Watch for a sudden jump in your fatigue or trouble moving.
• If you use a patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool, an increase in your RA-FQ score by 5.5 or more, or a FLARE-RA score rise above 1.8, can signal a flare is coming.
• Keep track of any changes in your daily activities or how you feel.

Tell your doctor right away if you spot any of these signs. Quick action can help you stay in remission longer.

Life in Remission

When you are in remission, daily life feels easier. You can do more things and feel more comfortable. You might notice big changes in how you move and feel.

Remission can help you enjoy time with friends and family. This part talks about how remission helps your life, ways to handle stress, and how others can help you.

Quality of Life

Remission helps your body and mind in many ways. Your pain gets lower, and you have more energy. You may feel happier and less tired. Studies show people in remission feel much better, both physically and mentally.

If your disease stays quiet, your health scores are higher than if it is active. Some people say their life feels almost normal, especially if they reach remission early. You can move more, join fun activities, and feel hopeful about your future.

Remission lets you focus on what you love—your hobbies, family, and goals.

Coping

You still need good ways to cope, even in remission. There are many tools to help you stay healthy and happy. Try these ideas to manage stress and pain:

• Do regular exercise like walking, swimming, or t’ai chi.
• Keep a healthy weight to protect your joints.
• Use heat or cold packs to feel better.
• Try meditation or mindfulness to relax.
• Change how you think about pain and stay positive.
• Write in a journal or talk to someone you trust.
• Find coping skills that work for your life.
• Take care of yourself and be patient.
• Be open to new ideas and try different things.

Even small things, like a short walk or deep breathing, can help you feel better each day. 🧘‍♂️

Support

Having support from others is very important in remission. You do better when people care about you and help you.

Friends, family, or groups can give you comfort and help with daily tasks. Research shows strong support helps you feel happier and healthier.

• Stay close to people who care about you.
• Ask loved ones for support or join a group.
• Get help with chores or rides when you need it.

Here are some ways to build your support team:

1. Talk to a friend this week and share your progress.
2. Join a group online or in person that you like.
3. Try a Live Yes! Connect Group for extra support.

You are not alone. Support helps you stay strong and enjoy life in remission.

When Remission Ends

When remission stops, you might feel sad or scared. This does not mean you did something wrong. Many people with arthritis have flares after remission. You can do things to handle these changes and keep yourself healthy.

Managing Flares

You may see early signs of a flare, like dull pain, swollen joints, or sudden tiredness. Noticing these signs early helps you act fast.

You can try different ways to handle flares and feel better:

• Make a plan with your rheumatologist. Talk about what to do if a flare starts.
• Look for early signs like pain, stiffness, or feeling tired.
• Stay safe from infections. Get your vaccines and wash your hands often.
• Rest when you have a flare, but move gently so you do not get stiff.
• Use hot or cold packs to help with pain.
• Try relaxing, like meditation or deep breathing, to lower stress.
• Take care of your feelings. Stress can make flares worse.
• Eat foods that fight inflammation, like fatty fish, berries, and leafy greens.
• Try a Mediterranean diet with whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats.
• Some people use turmeric or ginger supplements to help with swelling.

Having a flare plan with your doctor can help you feel ready when symptoms come back.

Adjusting Treatment

If you feel joint pain or stiffness after remission, call your doctor soon. Your medicine might not work as well as before. Acting fast can stop joint damage and help you feel better. Your doctor may want to change your treatment plan:

• Check your medicines. Do not stop or change them without your doctor’s advice. Stopping too fast can make your arthritis worse.
• Your doctor might want you to try a new biologic medicine. Different medicines work in different ways.
• Listen to your doctor’s advice. Changing your plan can protect your joints and help you feel better.

Always talk to your doctor before you change your treatment.

Staying Positive

Losing remission can be hard, but you can stay strong and hopeful. Many people feel better when they focus on their mental health.

Here are some ways that help:

You have tools and support to help you through flares. Staying positive and active can help you a lot as you live with arthritis.

Remission can make life better with arthritis, but it does not mean you are cured. It is not common for everyone. You can have a better chance if you work with your doctor and start treatment early.

Healthy habits are important. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish. Stay active and do not smoke. These things help you reach and keep remission.

You can work toward remission. Stay hopeful, watch your symptoms, and make healthy choices every day.

FAQ

What is the difference between remission and low disease activity?

Remission means you have no symptoms and very little inflammation. Low disease activity means you still have some symptoms, but they are mild. Your doctor uses tests and your reports to tell the difference.

Can you stop all arthritis medicine in remission?

You should not stop medicine on your own. Your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Stopping too fast can cause a flare. Always talk to your doctor before making changes.

How long does arthritis remission last?

Remission can last for months or even years. Some people stay in remission for a long time. Others may have flares. Regular check-ups help you stay on track.

What are early signs that remission is ending?

You may notice more pain, swelling, or stiffness. Fatigue can return. If you see these signs, contact your doctor. Quick action can help prevent a full flare.

Can lifestyle changes help you stay in remission?

Yes! Eating healthy foods, staying active, and managing stress help you stay in remission. These habits support your joints and your overall health.

Is remission possible for all types of arthritis?

Remission is possible for many types, like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Some types have higher remission rates than others. Early treatment gives you the best chance.

Do you still need to see your doctor in remission?

Yes, you need regular visits. Your doctor checks for hidden inflammation and helps you stay healthy. Even if you feel good, check-ups are important.

What should you do if you have a flare during remission?

Call your doctor right away. Rest your joints, use heat or cold packs, and follow your treatment plan. Early help can stop the flare from getting worse.