Around one million people in the country suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), medical experts said at an event held here on Saturday.

Norvic Hospital hosted an RA awareness event on World Arthritis Day observed in Kathmandu.

The hospital held a rally to observe the day. The rally participants went through Thapathali, Tripureshwor, Sundhara, New Road gate, Kamalpokhari, Kalopul, Jay Bageshwori, Gaushal, Purano Baneshwor, Babarmahal and returned to Norvic.

Around 150 people including those suffering RA, doctors and nurses attended the rally.

On the occasion, Norvic Hosptial Deputy General Manager RP Mainali said one in three Nepalis suffer RA at any stage of life.

RA is a long-term autoimmune disorder that affects joints in the body. People with RA condition have warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. These affect normal movements.

RA condition increasingly affects people of all ages.

There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. The most common types include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia and gout.