Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper Example

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Paper Osteoarthritis is primarily caused by the erosion of joint cartilage, which causes bones to rub or grate against each other. Osteoarthritis primarily affects synovial joints in which synovial fluid plays the important role of nourishing the avascular articular cartilage, providing the elasticity needed to absorb shock from rapid movements and the viscosity required to absorb shock from slow movements (Stitik Foye, 2010). Denudation of the cartilage leads to the exposure of the underlying bones. Osteoarthritis usually begins with a single weight-bearing joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a â€Å"chronic systemic autoimmune disease† which arises when the immune system erroneously attacks the joint tissue, resulting in the effusion of joint lining. Macrophages and lymphocytes are known to produce pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines which contribute to the inflammation which characterizes rheumatoid arthritis (Altman, 2008). Besides affecting joints, rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation in other organs. Unlike osteoarthritis which first affects one or few joints, a prominent feature of rheumatoid arthritis is symmetry of involvement so that joints on both the right and left side of the body are affected almost simultaneously (Gupta Bhagia, 2010). Rheumatoid arthritis is therefore a more powerful cause of morbidity and premature death than osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects only joints and not any other organs in the body. Owing to the fact that the primary cause of osteoarthritis is the denudation of the cartilage and the inability of the body to replace the lost cartilage, it is synovial joints that bear the brunt of this degenerative process. Rheumatoid arthritis is largely results from the body’s own immunity mechanism, which leads to systemic inflammation. Thus, although rheumatoid arthritis also leads to cartilage loss, it also leads to inflammation of other organs including the lungs, pleura and ligaments. We will write a custom essay sample on Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This systemic nature of rheumatoid arthritis leads to common extra-articular manifestations including fatigue, fever, subperiosteal and subcutaneous nodules, generalized malaise, weight loss, vasculitis, and pericarditis (Gupta Bhagia, 2010). Comparison Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affect joints, which also means that their symptoms are largely manifest around the joints. Some important symptoms of both conditions include joint pain, joint swelling, and redness and warmth near the affected joints. The joint pain and effusion restrict the arthritic person’s ability to move freely. Both diseases are also characterized by severe morning joint stiffness. Symmetry of involvement is one of the most prominent features of rheumatoid arthritis, a feature which is largely absent in osteoarthritis. This implies that the disease affects joints on the right and left limbs almost simultaneously. On the contrary, osteoarthritis affects one or a few joints at a time. As the disease progresses, more joints are affected. It is also notable that the risk of both increases with age. References Altman, R. (2008). Rheumatoid Arthritis (R. A.): Joint Disorders. The Merck Manual. Retrieved May 25, 2010, from http://www. merck. com/mmpe/sec04/ch034/ch034b. html Gupta, K. Bhagia, S. (2010). Rheumatoid Arthritis. eMedicine, March 30, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010, from http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/305417-overview Stitik, T. Foye, P. (2010). Osteoarthritis. eMedicine, January 14, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010, from http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/305145-overview