Question

compare and contrast osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. How are they different

Answer 1

Osteoarthritis (OA)	Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Degenerative disease that causes articular cartilage loss and joint space narrowing.	Autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory synovitis.
Heberden's nodes are bony prominences located at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Bouchard's nodes are located at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints.	Heberden's nodes are absent. Bouchard's nodes are not common, but may be present.
Typically affects joint asymmetrically.	Typically affects joints symmetrically.
Usually negative/normal lab findings.	Positive rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibody, and elevated ESR and CRP.
Radiograph: subchondral sclerosis, osteophytes, cysts, joint space narrowing, subluxation.	Radiograph: periarticular osteopenia, bone erosions, joint space narrowing, subluxation

the differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis:

While both rheumatoid  arthritis and osteoarthritis can lead to significant joint destruction and functional disability, there are many basic differences between these two forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

• Rheumatoid  arthritisis a destructive autoimmune joint disease that features inflammation in the joint lining tissue (synovium) that normally produces lubrication and nutrient fluid for joints. When this tissue remains inflamed, it leads to deformity (by loosening joint ligaments) and to joint destruction (by eroding away cartilage and bone).
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by an overactive, misdirected immune system.
• In rheumatoid arthritis, the misdirected immune system attacks the joint lining tissue leading to destructive inflammation of the joints. Ligaments, cartilage, and bone can all be damaged from rheumatoid arthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease, meaning that it can additionally involve tissues throughout the body, including the lungs, skin, and eyes.
• Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect many joints symmetrically on both sides of the body.
• The inflammation of active rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness in the morning lasting over 30 minutes

Osteoarthritis :

• Osteoarthritis is a disease of the cartilage of joints.
• Osteoarthritis is not a systemic disease and not an autoimmune disease.
• Osteoarthritis is partly a result of natural aging of the joint. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates as a function of biologic processes. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses.
• In advanced osteoarthritis, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints.
• Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can mechanically irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint  pain and swelling.
• Loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility.
• Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs, also referred to as osteophytes) to form around the joints.
• Osteoarthritis occasionally can develop in multiple members of the same family, implying a hereditary (genetic) basis for this condition.
• Osteoarthritis is, therefore, felt to be a result of a combination of each of the above factors that ultimately lead to a narrowing of the cartilage in the affected joint.
• Osteoarthritis is sometimes referred to as degenerative joint disease.