The earliest symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include morning stiffness and abnormal changes in the joints. 1. Morning stiffness: morning stiffness is the earliest manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, which usually occurs in the early morning when the joints feel stiff and the activities are restricted. 2. Abnormal changes in joints: In the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis, pain, swelling, dysfunction of joint movement, and fever around the joints, including increased skin temperature around the bone joints, can occur. After the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is confirmed, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time to avoid delaying the condition.