What is a common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis?

In the context of rheumatoid arthritis, extra-articular manifestations refer to symptoms and conditions that develop outside of the joints, affecting other systems in the body. Among the options presented, splenomegaly is a recognized extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can influence the immune system and lead to an increase in the size of the spleen. This occurs due to the chronic inflammatory state present in the body, where the spleen becomes involved in the immune response, leading to its enlargement.

While skin rashes and liver enlargement can also occur in various conditions, including autoimmune diseases, they are not the primary extra-articular manifestations specifically associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Skin rashes may occur in other autoimmune conditions or as part of systemic features like vasculitis, and liver enlargement is often related to other hepatic or metabolic disorders rather than a direct consequence of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the focus on splenomegaly as an extra-articular manifestation directly connects it to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis.