What is the Difference Between Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The main difference between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis lies in their causes and symptoms. Here are the key differences:

Cause: Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints, while rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the joints.
Onset: Rheumatoid arthritis often begins at a younger age and has a relatively rapid onset, developing over weeks to months. In contrast, osteoarthritis usually begins later in life and progresses slowly over years.
Joint Symptoms: In rheumatoid arthritis, joints are painful, swollen, and stiff, while in osteoarthritis, joints ache and may be tender but have little or no swelling.
Pattern of Affected Joints: Rheumatoid arthritis often targets multiple joints at once, with a symmetrical pattern of joint involvement (e.g., arthritis in both hips). Osteoarthritis usually begins in an isolated joint.
Systemic Symptoms: Rheumatoid arthritis frequently accompanies fatigue and a general feeling of being ill, while whole-body symptoms are not present in osteoarthritis.
Treatment: Rheumatoid arthritis is typically treated in secondary care by specialists, whereas osteoarthritis is normally managed by general practitioners.

Accurately distinguishing between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is crucial for determining the proper treatment and managing the condition effectively.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Comparative Table: Arthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis

Here is a table comparing the differences between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:

Feature	Arthritis	Rheumatoid Arthritis
Definition	An umbrella term for inflammation of the joints, including osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).	A specific type of arthritis that is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining.
Causes	Mechanical wear and tear on joints.	The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the joints, releasing enzymes that destroy the linings, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Symptoms	Joint aches, tenderness, but little or no swelling.	Joints are painful, swollen, and stiff.
Onset	Slow, over years.	Relatively rapid, over weeks to months.
Age at which the condition starts	Usually begins later in life.	May begin any time in life.
Pattern of joints affected	Affects multiple joints and develops symmetrically.	Joint damage in OA primarily results from wear and tear, often related to repetitive movements or sports.
Treatment	Anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid medications.	Disease-modifying medications and biologics that target the immune system.

Keep in mind that there are other types of arthritis besides OA and RA, and the table above compares general arthritis with rheumatoid arthritis specifically.

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.