Rheumatism, Rheumatic Disease, and Arthritis

Are They All the Same?

What Is Rheumatism?

Rheumatism refers to various painful medical conditions which affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons (see illustration). Rheumatism may also involve internal organs including:

• heart
• skin
• kidneys
• lungs

The term "rheumatism" is not frequently used in current medical text, but is more often found in historical medical text. Rheumatism does not refer to a single disease or condition. There are over 100 conditions commonly referred to as rheumatism.

Rheumatism has been more specifically classified, based on location and characteristics of symptoms, as:

• localized rheumatism (e.g. bursitis)
• regional rheumatism (e.g. temporo mandibular joint pain)
• generalized rheumatism (e.g. fibromyalgia)
• psychogenic rheumatism (e.g. muscle and joint pain expressed is inconsistent with actual physiology and patient is thought to have psychological reasons for the symptoms)

What Are Rheumatic Diseases/Conditions?

Rheumatic diseases and conditions primarily affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles (see illustration). Rheumatic diseases are characterized by the signs of inflammation - redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Rheumatic diseases are characterized by loss of function among one or more connective or supportive structures of the body. Rheumatic diseases can also affect internal organs.

Common Rheumatic Diseases

• ankylosing spondylitis
• fibromyalgia
• lupus
• scleroderma
• polymyositis
• dermatomyositis
• polymyalgia rheumatica
• bursitis
• tendinitis
• vasculitis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• complex regional pain syndrome

What Is Arthritis?

Some people use the word arthritis to refer to all rheumatic diseases. Arthritis, which literally means joint inflammation (see illustration), is just part of the rheumatic diseases. Arthritis primarily involves:

• joint pain
• joint stiffness
• joint inflammation
• joint damage

Common Types of Arthritis

• rheumatoid arthritis
• osteoarthritis
• juvenile arthritis
• psoriatic arthritis
• reactive arthritis
• infectious arthritis
• gout
• pseudogout

Conclusion About Rheumatism, Rheumatic Disease, and Arthritis

Rheumatism and rheumatic disease are terms which can be used interchangeably. Rheumatism is recognized as an older term though. The various types of arthritis, however, are just part of the rheumatic diseases.

Related Resources

What is Arthritis?

The Types of Arthritis and Related Conditions

Types of Arthritis and Rheumatic Conditions - Test Your Knowledge

What is Rheumatic Fever?

Quizzes for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

_{Sources: Rheumatism, from MedicineNet; Rheumatism, from Wikipedia; Q & A About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, from NIAMS}