Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Psoriatic Arthritis

It's easy to confuse psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both induce joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness. They're not identical twins, but they're more like siblings.

"Some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are similar. However, they are two different diseases, according to rheumatologist Rochelle Rosian, MD. "Getting the right diagnosis will allow your doctor to create a more individualized treatment plan for you."

Understanding the many types of arthritis

People treat arthritis as though it were a single disease. However, the phrase can be used to designate a wide range of disorders, including:

Osteoarthritis

The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. (Think of osteoarthritis as the distant cousin of psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.) Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that develops over time as a result of wear and tear on the joints. It is most frequent in older people.

Arthritis due to autoimmunity

Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, both disorders of the immune system, are found in this category. They happen when your body's immune system assaults healthy tissues, such as your joints, by mistake.

Several similarities exist between psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Rosian explains that "both disorders produce joint discomfort and edema." "And, in both situations, symptoms frequently appear unexpectedly in episodes known as flares, before settling down."

The fundamentals of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects your joints as well as the points on your bones where tendons and ligaments attach. Psoriatic arthritis is commonly associated with psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by scaly, dry patches.

Who is afflicted with psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30% of persons who have psoriasis. Symptoms can appear at any age, but they are most common between the ages of 35 and 55. It affects both men and women in the same way. Arthritis can develop prior to the onset of the skin illness or with relatively minor skin involvement, such as nail or scalp psoriasis.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

The following are some of the most common psoriatic arthritis symptoms:

• Your joints are inflamed and swollen (which may appear red and warm to the touch).
• Stiffness of the joints.
• In your heel, there is tenderness or soreness.
• Psoriasis.
• Fatigue.

Rheumatoid arthritis fundamentals

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness. The same joints on both sides of your body are commonly affected, such as both thumbs or both wrists. Internal organs are sometimes affected as well.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects who?

Women are more than twice as likely as males to have rheumatoid arthritis. It can occur at any age, but it is most common between the ages of 20 and 50.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

The following are some of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

• Your joints are inflamed and swollen.
• Stiffness of the joints.
• Fatigue.
• Fever of a low intensity.

What makes psoriatic arthritis different from rheumatoid arthritis?

While the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are similar, there are a few key distinctions:

Inflammatory arthritis diagnosis

Several factors are considered by doctors when determining whether your symptoms are caused by psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

History of the family

Both psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, according to researchers. If you have psoriasis or if anyone in your family has psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may inquire.

Tests on the blood

Your doctor can use blood tests to establish which type of arthritis you have. Rheumatoid factor is a protein found in the blood of people who have rheumatoid arthritis. People with psoriatic arthritis, on the other hand, almost never do.

Antibodies against CCP, often known as anti-CCP antibodies, are found in another test. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause these symptoms.

X-rays

Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis might have comparable X-ray appearances. However, because the diseases affect various joints, X-rays can aid in diagnosis. Other differences between the diseases can be seen by the images:

• The places where ligaments and tendons join to bone are frequently more inflamed in psoriatic arthritis.
• Inflammation of the joint lining is more common in rheumatoid arthritis.

Managing autoimmune arthritis symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can both be treated with the following medications:

• Pain and edema are reduced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Illness-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs) protect joints and delay the progression of the disease, resulting in less joint destruction, less swelling, discomfort, and loss of joint function.
• Biologics are drugs that target the components of the immune system that are responsible for inflammation.

Researchers are creating new drugs to treat inflammatory arthritis as they learn more about the reasons. Some of these new medications are specifically designed to treat one ailment or another.

"Both psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis are long-term conditions. "They can't be cured," Dr. Rosian explains, "but they can be controlled." "You can manage symptoms and feel your best by working with your doctor to receive the accurate diagnosis."

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