Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Same?

Question: Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Same?

There are so many types of arthritis -- terminology can get confusing. Polyarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are examples. Often they are used interchangeably but are they the same condition?

Answer:

Polyarthritis

Polyarthritis is a nonspecific term for arthritis from any cause, that involves 2 or more joints.

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Inflammatory Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is a condition where arthritis is present because of localized joint inflammation.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an inflammatory polyarthritis because it involves many joints all of which are damaged to some degree by inflammation and it's sequelae.

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_Source:

_{Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. Arthritis Foundation. Thirteenth Edition.}