This article is written to identify some of the differences between Osteoarthritis VS Rheumatoid Arthritis. While all effort is made to be as accurate as possible, if you have any health questions or concerns, please consult your doctor.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory type of arthritis and affects approximately 2.1 million Americans (three times as many women as men). It is classified as an autoimmune disease because certain immune cells malfunction and attack a person’s own body. Rheumatoid arthritis typically begins in middle age, but children and young adults can also develop the disease. People of all races and ethnic backgrounds can develop the disease. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown but researchers are working to gain a better understanding of how the immune system and genetic factors affect the inflammatory processes that cause rheumatoid arthritis to develop. Some patients may experience long periods without symptoms, however rheumatoid arthritis is typically a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
What is Osteoarthritis?
OA (also known as degenerative joint disease) is a non-inflammatory condition in which the shock-absorbing, smooth, gel-like cartilage in between joints is worn down, causing the remaining bones to rub abnormally against one another, resulting in pain in the involved joint. OA is subdivided into two classes based on the cause of the condition
- Primary osteoarthritis
- Secondary osteoarthritis
Primary osteoarthritis is referred to as “wear and tear” OA. Primary prevalent in men under 45 years of age, primary OA is the more common class of OA and may be caused by an intrinsic defect in the cartilage. Excessive weight and occupational overuse also play a role in primary OA. It is believed by many professionals that several factors contribute to the development of secondary OA, including defects in joint structure, prior infection, disease and/or inflammation.
A few ways to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from osteoarthritis include the following:
- The joint is swollen or red (suggesting that there is inflammation)
- The joint symptom is associated with systemic features such as fever, general fatigue or body stiffness lasting more than 10 to 15 minutes
- Joints are affected on both sides, rather than one sided
- Special blood tests are positive for auto-antibodies that are often found in rheumatoid arthritis
The presence of any of these findings are more consistent with rheumatoid arthritis.
Another difference between osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis lies in the duration of joint symptoms. The stiffness in osteoarthritis tends to be brief, lasting just a few minutes while rheumatoid arthritis stiffness can be worse after rest, such as the first thing in the morning, and often lasts at least 30 minutes or more. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis has a tendency to affect the knuckles and the wrists, which are areas that are usually not affected by osteoarthritis.
A final diagnosis does need to be made by a physician. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or are concerned about any health matter, schedule an appointment with your family physician.
