Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout: How Do They Differ?

Many are often perplexed by the differences between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mostly affects your joints and some organs. Contrastingly, gout is a form of severe arthritis caused by the accumulation of crystallized uric acid in your joints and bloodstream, triggering an inflammatory reaction most commonly in big toes. Both rheumatoid arthritis and gout can become terribly painful, but gout usually has a more positive prognosis and is more manageable. If you’ve been wondering about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of rheumatoid arthritis vs. gout, read on to understand all their key differences.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout

As a long-lasting autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis develops when your body's immune system erroneously targets and attacks normal healthy tissue, leading to inflammation in the joints and other organs like your lungs, heart, and skin.

Conversely, gout is a metabolic disorder that makes up around five percent of all arthritis cases and is characterized by acicular uric acid crystals amassing in joint gaps, conjunctive tissue, or both. Inflammatory arthritis develops as a result of these accumulated crystals, causing your joints to be swollen, stiff, and painful.

Age of Onset and Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout

Rheumatoid arthritis typically begins between the ages of 35 and 45, and it affects far more women than men. Rheumatoid arthritis develops quickly, with full onset occurring in less than a year. Gout generally shows up in men at 35 to 50 years old and in postmenopausal women. Gout is much more common in men than women and is more prevalent in individuals who have undergone organ transplants. The onset of gout is usually very sudden.

Differences in Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout

• Common Symptoms: Pain, redness, swollenness, soreness, and a reduced range of motion are all common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients also experience lethargy, muscular atrophy, loss of weight, and fevers. Contrarily, gout patients would suddenly feel a single swollen, heated joint out of nowhere. The extreme inflammation and pain might be coupled with a low fever and shivers, plus an overall feeling of discomfort and uneasiness.
• Locations of Affected Joints: In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation occurs in the knuckle joints and those nearest to your hands. Gout primarily affects the big toe joints, but can also involve joints at the fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles, heels, and knees too.
• Stiffness: With rheumatoid arthritis, a long period of rest or inactivity generally leads to rigidity and pain that lasts over 30 minutes. Gout stiffness only manifests during the moment of attack.
• Swelling: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by uniform swelling of the joints where both hands would swell at the same time, whereas gout only affects a particular joint or affects joints unevenly.

• Time When Symptoms Appear: Rheumatoid arthritis induces long-lasting rigidity in the mornings and recurring tiredness in the afternoons. Gout episodes frequently happen at night.

Medical Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs. Gout

Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is a lasting, degenerative illness that does not go into remission. With gout, although treatments can relieve the pain and inflammation, it virtually always comes back. Golden agers with rheumatoid arthritis or gout can always get assistance with their conditions through senior assisted living with 24/7 care, where a professional team will help with physically taxing chores like housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation.