Gout and rheumatoid arthritis are two different types of arthritis that are very debilitating and greatly affects the life of a person who suffers from either of the two conditions. Even though the level of pain brought by the symptoms of gout and rheumatoid arthritis are quite similar, they are still different from each other. This article will be dealing with the similarities and differences between gout and rheumatoid arthritis. If you are interested in this particular topic, read on to this article ’til the very end. I assure you, you will have a new set of knowledge!
Can Rheumatoid Arthritis cause Gout?
The rheumatoid arthritis is actually a kind of an autoimmune disease. There are various studies that suggest rheumatoid arthritis and gout can be in connection with each other. In fact, one study states that it is possibly true that the flares or attacks that rheumatoid arthritis might actually be flares of gout as well. Always bear in mind that the awareness that gout exists in a certain patient with RA may lead to a much better management of gout to those patients.
Comparison of Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms
Both gout and rheumatoid arthritis can be accompanied by fever, joint pain, swelling, and chills since both of them are involved in the autoimmune responses. However, it is uncommon for gout to go with stiffness, not like rheumatoid arthritis that typically comes with stiffness during the morning. Redness, tenderness, and warmth of the affected area are present in both of the types of arthritis. The signs of gout typically vanish, while the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will not. Actually, rheumatoid arthritis’ symptoms become worst over the course of time.
Cause
Gout is mainly due to the uric acid crystallization in the joints. The uric acid crystal will then be attacked by the immune system thus causing pain and inflammation. Quite the reverse, rheumatoid arthritis is due to the own attacking of the immune system on the joints.
Pattern of Attack
Gout assaults only the synovial joints (ball-and-socket joints) while rheumatoid arthritis may attack any type of joints in the body. Typically, gout starts by attacking the big toe and the attack will spread towards the joints on the upper body after a long period of time From time to time, it will not at all spread.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis may affect the symmetrical joints. This just means that if it distresses the right wrist, the other wrist will also be affected.
Diagnosis
Gout can be diagnosed via synovial fluid analysis. The synovial fluid will be extracted from the affected joint and get analyzed. The presence of excessive uric acid crystals will denote gout. However, this isn’t hundred percent precise since the diagnosis may miss the huge chunks of uric acid crystals. In this particular case, imaging may help.
Tests such as blood tests can diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis. The level of rheumatoid factor, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP), and C – reactive protein (CRP) will be examined during the said test. However, abnormal levels of each of them do not guarantee rheumatoid arthritis. They can even exist in patients with other autoimmune disorders. This is followed by imaging scans such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, X-rays and ultrasound. If signs of join or cartilage damage and narrowing are present, the diagnosis will most likely reach a conclusion that it is indeed rheumatoid arthritis.
Duration of Attack
The attacks done by the body’s immune system can last for last for days, months, years or even a lifetime. Sometimes it can only take hours to subside.
Sign of Attack
Gout attacks arbitrarily, though it typically attacks during low temperatures or in the evening. This is due to the uric acid reaching the saturation point more effortlessly in low temperatures.
For some reasons, a person can detect if their rheumatoid arthritis outbursts. The worsening of their morning stiffness shows a sign of rheumatoid arthritis attack.
Complication
Gout actually has no complications that are fatal. Conversely, tophaceous deposits commonly form. Tophaceous is a deposit of uric acid crystals in monosodium urate crystals which occurs in individuals who suffer from hyperuricemia in a long period of time e. It commonly appears in the earlobes or the affected joint. In rare instances, tophi appear in parts where it can cause tons of damage, such as the inner ear, pancreas, and spine. A person who suffers from gout is also prone to uric acid kidneys stones and kidney disease itself. Furthermore, gout has many indirect complications.
On the other hand, Rheumatoid arthritis has fatal side effects such as low red blood cell count resulting from bone marrow damage, inflammation around the heart and inflammation around the lungs. Both gout and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the deformation of the affected joints.
