Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis | What's the Difference?

Summary

This video explains the key differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a mechanical joint condition that affects older individuals, characterized by joint pain, often in isolated areas like the knees or hips, and typically causes less than 30 minutes of morning stiffness. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, affecting younger adults, particularly women, and presents with widespread joint pain, prolonged morning stiffness, and nighttime pain. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis involves blood tests and imaging. Viewers are encouraged to like and subscribe for more content.

Takeaways

• 🦴 Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis present similarly but have key differences in diagnosis and treatment.
• 🦵 Osteoarthritis affects joints due to mechanical wear and tear, commonly in older populations.
• 🔍 In osteoarthritis, cartilage thins over time, leading to pain in isolated joints like knees, hips, and thumbs.
• ⏰ Morning stiffness in osteoarthritis typically lasts less than 30 minutes and is less significant than in rheumatoid arthritis.
• 🏥 Osteoarthritis is diagnosed when patients are over 45, experience activity-related joint pain, and have less than 30 minutes of stiffness in the morning.
• 🔥 Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease that causes widespread joint pain and stiffness, often in younger individuals.
• 👩‍⚕️ Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women aged 30-50 and can have a hereditary link.
• 🌙 Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often experience night pain and longer morning stiffness, lasting 45 minutes to over an hour.
• 🩸 Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis involves blood tests for inflammatory markers and imaging to detect bone erosions or joint deformities.
• ⏩ Suspected rheumatoid arthritis cases should be urgently referred to a rheumatologist for further investigation and treatment.

Q & A

What are the similarities between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis present with pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints.

How does osteoarthritis affect joints?

Osteoarthritis affects joints in a mechanical manner due to repeated activity over time, leading to the thinning of cartilage and less protection for bones at the joint.

Why is osteoarthritis more common in older populations?

Osteoarthritis is more common in older populations because it develops over a long period of time due to the wear and tear on joints.

What are the common locations for osteoarthritis to present?

Osteoarthritis commonly presents in the knees, hips, and thumb joints.

How long does morning stiffness typically last with osteoarthritis?

Morning stiffness with osteoarthritis typically lasts for less than 30 minutes.

What are the three specific factors that help diagnose osteoarthritis according to the NICE guidelines in the UK?

The three specific factors are: the patient is over the age of 45, the patient has activity-related joint pain, and their joint symptoms with stiffness last no longer than 30 minutes in the morning.

How does rheumatoid arthritis differ from osteoarthritis in terms of cause?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive and persistent inflammatory arthritis, an autoimmune condition, which is different from the mechanical cause of osteoarthritis.

What age group is rheumatoid arthritis more common in?

Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women, particularly between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.

What is a key distinguishing feature of rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoarthritis?

A key distinguishing feature of rheumatoid arthritis is widespread, multiple joint pains, as opposed to the isolated joint pain seen in osteoarthritis.

How long does early morning stiffness typically last with rheumatoid arthritis?

With rheumatoid arthritis, early morning stiffness can last up to 45 minutes, an hour, or even longer.

What steps are crucial for investigating rheumatoid arthritis?

Investigating rheumatoid arthritis involves blood tests to look for raised inflammatory markers and imaging such as x-rays to look for bony erosions or joint deformities, all under the care of a rheumatologist.