Difference between Rheumatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Difference between Rheumatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two distinct conditions that affect the joints and cause inflammation, but they have different underlying causes, clinical presentations, and treatment approaches. Understanding the differences between these conditions is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Difference Between Rheumatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Below is the difference between Rheumatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is Rheumatic Arthritis?

Rheumatic arthritis, also known as non-specific rheumatism or non-inflammatory arthritis, is a broad term used to describe various forms of arthritis that are not caused by an autoimmune response. Instead, rheumatic arthritis typically results from wear and tear on the joints, injury, infection, or metabolic disorders. Here are the key features of rheumatic arthritis:

Key Features of Rheumatic Arthritis? 

• Rheumatic arthritis encompasses several types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, infectious arthritis, and crystal-induced arthritis (e.g., gout, pseudogout).
• Osteoarthritis, the most common form of rheumatic arthritis, is characterized by degeneration of the joint cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Traumatic arthritis develops following joint injury or repetitive stress on the joints, resulting in inflammation and cartilage damage.
• Infectious arthritis occurs due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections that directly affect the joint, leading to inflammation and joint damage.
• Crystal-induced arthritis, such as gout and pseudogout, is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals or calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joints, triggering an inflammatory response.
• Symptoms of rheumatic arthritis vary depending on the underlying cause but may include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased range of motion.
• Osteoarthritis typically affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, causing localized pain and stiffness that worsen with activity.
• Traumatic arthritis presents with symptoms similar to osteoarthritis but may have a more sudden onset following joint trauma or overuse.
• Infectious arthritis manifests with acute joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever and chills.
• Crystal-induced arthritis is characterized by recurrent episodes of acute joint inflammation, commonly affecting the big toe (in gout) or other joints (in pseudogout).
• Diagnosis of rheumatic arthritis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history, imaging studies (X-rays, MRI), and laboratory tests (joint fluid analysis, blood tests).
• Treatment aims to relieve pain, improve joint function, and address the underlying cause of arthritis.
• Management strategies may include lifestyle modifications (e.g., exercise, weight management), physical therapy, medications (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids), intra-articular injections, and surgical interventions (e.g., joint replacement).

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and destruction. RA primarily affects the small joints of the hands and feet but can involve multiple joints throughout the body. Here are the key features of rheumatoid arthritis:

Key Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis results from dysregulation of the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage in the joints.
• The exact cause of RA is unknown, but genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors are believed to contribute to disease development.
• Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are commonly found in individuals with RA and play a role in disease pathogenesis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis typically presents with symmetrical joint involvement, affecting small joints such as the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, wrists, and ankles.
• Joint inflammation leads to pain, swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness lasting more than an hour.
• Progressive synovitis can cause cartilage destruction, bone erosion, and joint deformities such as swan-neck deformity, boutonniere deformity, and ulnar deviation.
• RA is a systemic disease that can affect other organs and tissues beyond the joints.
• Extra-articular manifestations may include rheumatoid nodules (subcutaneous nodules), vasculitis, interstitial lung disease, pericarditis, and rheumatoid arthritis-related eye conditions (e.g., scleritis, keratitis).
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on clinical criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), which consider joint involvement, serological markers, acute-phase reactants, and duration of symptoms.
• Treatment aims to suppress inflammation, alleviate symptoms, prevent joint damage, and improve quality of life.
• Early and aggressive management with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, and corticosteroids can induce remission, slow disease progression, and preserve joint function.
• Multidisciplinary care involving rheumatologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare providers is essential to address the complex needs of RA patients.

Similarities Between Rheumatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Inflammatory Nature: Both rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis involve joint inflammation, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Diagnosis Challenges: Diagnosis of both conditions requires careful evaluation of clinical presentation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment decisions.

Treatment Complexity: Management of rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may involve a multidisciplinary approach, including pharmacological interventions, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications to optimize patient outcomes.