Differentiate between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Differentiate between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. How does the pathophysiology of the diseases differ? How are they similar? What are the treatments for each disease?

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The primary difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nature of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that produces inflammatory joint symptoms throughout the body. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that is the result of increased wear and tear on joints. Osteoarthritis may produce inflammatory symptoms as well but primarily destroys joint cartilage over time.

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 27 million Americans while only 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis. Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are more prevalent in women than in men. Rheumatoid arthritis can develop in patients anytime between the ages of 30 and 60 years old. Osteoarthritis generally develops later in life. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex disease with varying symptoms and complications that differ for each patient. Often times, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are confused with osteoarthritis symptoms. This confusion happens commonly during the first signs of arthritic symptoms.

Despite the fact that both are types of arthritis cause joint pain, the two disease have different diagnoses. Interestingly, though the two are chronic and non-curable disease, they are completely separate conditions with different causes, symptoms, prognoses, and treatments....