Although they are both types of arthritis, there are many differences between gout and rheumatoid arthritis. These include their causes, diagnostic and treatment options, and prevention measures. While they are different conditions with different pathologies, both RA and gout can cause intense joint pain and impact your daily life.
Both gout and RA can cause pain and stiffness in multiple joints. But otherwise, the two tend to follow different patterns. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, usually starts in smaller joints and involves the body’s own immune system attacking the joints. In contrast, gout pain is due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.
Learn the difference between gout and rheumatoid arthritis – symptoms, causes, and treatments. Question: I am a 50-year-old man recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But I have had joint symptoms for some time, beginning two years ago with a bout of excruciating pain and swelling in my left toe and progressing to episodes of pain in multiple joints.
The chapter discusses three prototypical types of arthritis: osteoarthritis as an example of a cartilage disorder, gout as an example of both a crystal-induced arthritis and an acute arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis as an example of an immune-mediated systemic disease and a chronic deforming arthritis.
For decades, rheumatoid arthritis and gout were thought to be mutually exclusive, but it has become clear that some people with RA also get gout. A study published in 2020 involving 2000 patients with RA found that 17% also had gout. These patients were older, mostly male, and had co-existing high blood pressure.
Osteoarthritis develops gradually, while rheumatoid arthritis can worsen over several weeks or months. They both may affect the hands, but typically only osteoarthritis affects the joint near the tip of the finger. The symptoms may seem similar, but your healthcare provider can help you determine which condition you have.
Verywell Health, WebMD, and Arthritis Foundation provide more insights on the differences between RA and gout.
Overuse, obesity, and older age are just some of the risk factors for developing OA. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune illness associated with chronic inflammation throughout the body. RA tends to affect smaller joints like the fingers, wrists, ankles, and feet. It usually presents in a symmetrical pattern.
RA vs. OA Symptoms. Risk Factors. Most Common Joints Affected. 4 min read. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two common types of arthritis. Both cause pain and joint damage, but have distinct causes and treatment approaches.
