Are Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and RA the Same Condition?

Question: Are Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and RA the Same Condition?

Are polyarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the same condition?

Answer:

Polyarthritis Vs. Inflammatory Arthritis

Polyarthritis

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

Inflammatory arthritis

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

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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_{(Answer provided by the late Dr. Raymond Federman, aka Dr. Bones, who passed away on September 2, 2003. The care of his patients even in retirement was always his joy.)}