Remission with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means your condition is either inactive or minimally active.¹ You have few or no RA symptoms, like joint pain, swelling, or stiffness.¹ Remission doesn’t mean your RA is gone, but it does mean your inflammation has decreased and you are minimizing the risk of joint damage over time.¹ Your healthcare provider may use several different clinical definitions of remission that look at indicators such as a reduced number of swollen and tender joints or inflammatory markers in your blood.¹ If you’re living with RA, there are some signs of remission based on your symptoms and how well you can function in everyday life.

Dr. Grace Wright spoke with myRAteam to explain more about the signs of RA remission. Dr. Wright is a rheumatologist who earned her medical and doctoral degrees from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and worked at NYU Langone Health. She founded the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR) in 2014.

According to Dr. Wright, RA remission is important for helping to ease symptoms like pain and fatigue, as well as minimizing the long-term consequences of the condition. Currently, remission is a goal of RA treatment and can be achievable for many people with RA.¹ If you’re being treated for RA, you might wonder what remission will feel like. Read on for five signs that your RA might be in remission, as discussed by Dr. Wright.

Reduced Pain

If you’re experiencing less pain, it’s a key sign that your RA is improving or potentially reaching remission, Dr. Wright said. Although healthcare providers can ask about your levels of pain, they won’t get a full understanding of what your pain feels like and how intense it is unless you speak up about it. Be honest with your healthcare provider about where you experience pain, how it changes over time, and what it prevents you from doing.

Dr. Wright mentioned that some people she treats for RA stay quiet about symptoms like fatigue and pain because they’re afraid of changing their treatment plan and feeling worse. According to Dr. Wright, your healthcare provider needs to know how you’re feeling so that they can make the right adjustments to your treatment and give you the best chance of feeling better.

Less Morning Stiffness

Reduced joint stiffness in the morning is another sign that your RA is improving and may be in remission, Dr. Wright said. Joint stiffness is a feeling that makes moving and using your joints difficult, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.² For example, stiff joints in your hands may make it hard to pick up and hold objects, affecting daily tasks like your work or household chores.³ Your healthcare provider may ask you how long this symptom lasts and monitor it over time.² Little to no joint stiffness may mean you’re able to better move your joints and they don’t feel as inflexible in the mornings or after resting.

A Boost in Overall Well-Being

An improvement in your well-being can be a sign that your RA is improving and in remission. Stiff, swollen, and painful joints from RA can affect your daily functioning and quality of life.^2,3 These symptoms may make it harder to work, complete household tasks, and take part in activities that you enjoy. With RA remission, having little to no pain and swelling can help you get back to these activities and improve your quality of life.^3,4

Fewer Swollen and Tender Joints

Having fewer swollen and tender joints can be a sign of remission that your healthcare provider can check, Dr. Wright said. Swollen, tender joints may feel warm, painful, and sensitive to the touch. These symptoms can interfere with daily activities, making tasks like buttoning clothes or grasping objects difficult.²

Lower Levels of Inflammatory Markers in Your Blood

Your healthcare provider may take a blood sample to look at your levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).⁴ High levels of these markers with other RA symptoms can indicate increased RA disease activity and may help with diagnosing RA.² However, it’s important to know that some people with RA may have normal CRP or ESR levels but still experience RA symptoms.⁵ When CRP and ESR levels are reduced, they may suggest that your inflammation is decreased and your RA is in remission.^3,6 Lower disease activity and inflammation are associated with slower progression of joint damage.⁴

How you feel about your RA may differ from what tests and measures show. It is also important to remember that everyone's experience is different. Dr. Wright noted that when you’re on the path to remission, it’s essential to communicate with your healthcare provider. That way, they can tell if your treatment plan is working or if they need to make some changes to help you feel better. If you are not getting to remission after 6 months, it could mean that it is time to think about switching treatment.

“If you don’t speak up and tell your healthcare provider what’s happening, nothing can change,” said Dr. Wright.

ABBV-US-01980-MC V1.0 Approved 3/2025