Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus: Which is it?

Some types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can cause widespread symptoms and have systemic effects affecting multiple organs.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is also classified as an autoimmune disease (immune cells attack the body's own healthy tissues). The joints are primarily affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but there can be systemic effects (i.e. organs) as well. Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and early, aggressive treatment can help prevent joint damage and deformity. Typically, disease onset for rheumatoid arthritis occurs between 30 and 60 years old.

• Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Test Your Knowledge: Rheumatoid Arthritis
• 10 Things You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus, also commonly referred to as lupus or SLE, is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and other organs of the body. Lupus symptoms often resemble symptoms associated with other types of arthritis, making lupus difficult to diagnose. Lupus affects 10 times more women than men. Though lupus can develop at any age, disease onset usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 45 years old.

• Guide to Lupus
• Lupus Screening Quiz
• Fast Facts About Lupus
• Test Your Knowledge: Lupus
• 10 Things You Should Know About Lupus

There are specific symptoms, distinguishing characteristics, as well as overlapping symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus which determine the diagnosis and course of treatment. Do you know the differences between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus? Take Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus: Which is it?

Join the Discussion:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photos © A.D.A.M., Stan Rohrer (iStockphoto)}