difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

A chronic systemic disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, stiffness, pain, and swelling that results in crippling deformities

treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications

osteoarthritis

degenerative joint disease due to age-related "wear-and-tear.

Rheumatoid arthritis most common

in women and most commonly begins during middle age

osteoarthritis treatment focuses on

pain control

what is found in the blood of a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis

rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein

osteoarthritis affect which joint

the finger joints (but not the MCPs), hips, knees, feet, upper and lower spine.

which joint Rheumatoid arthritis affect the most

the joints linking the fingers to the hand (called the metacarpal-phalangeal, or MCP, joints

Rheumatoid arthritis affected joints may be

warm, swollen and have limited motion.