Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the cells lining the joints, known as the synovial cells. RA affects 1.3 million Americans and occurs two to three times more often in women than men, according to information provided by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The non-specific symptoms of RA including joint pain, inflammation, joint stiffness and fatigue often make it difficult to distinguish RA from other diseases.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 33 million Americans, as reported by the Arthritis Foundation. OA is a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage that occurs due to wear and tear over time. Without sufficient cartilage to cushion the joint, the bones can rub together, resulting in pain. OA is similar to RA because they both are classified as arthritis and they both cause joint stiffness and pain.
In addition the breakdown of cartilage that occurs in OA, the disease is also characterized by a release of cytokines (proteins that help to regulate the immune system), which results in inflammation of the lining of the joint, known as the synovium. Similarly, in RA the immune cells of the body attack the synovium and release cytokines, which result in inflammation.
Fibromyalgia
Like RA, fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects women more often than men. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are very similar to many other diseases, including RA, and because there is not specific diagnostic test for fibromyalgia it is often difficult to provide a differential diagnosis.
Patients suffering from fibromyalgia and RA both experience joint stiffness, especially in the morning. Muscle pain and an eventual loss of movement are also symptoms of both diseases.
Reiter's Syndrome
Reiter's Syndrome, also known as reactive arthritis, is a form of arthritis that occurs in response to an infection with a bacteria such as Salmonella (found in contaminated foods) or Chlamydia (a sexually transmitted disease). The bacterial infection can cause inflammation in the joints, similar to RA, resulting in joint pain.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease that is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by deer ticks. When a human is bitten by an infected tick, the bacteria enters the bloodstream where is travels to and affects the skin, central nervous system and joints. In the later stages of Lyme disease when it becomes chronic, rheumatoid arthritis is the most common symptom occurring in nearly 80 percent of patients, according to Brown University.
