Salazar, Nim Franzio A.

II

COMPARISON BETWEEN OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) AND RHEUMATOID

ARTHRITIS (RA)

OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)

Age/ Gender Begins after age 40 Begin between ages 25-50
Commonly found in both males and More common in Females
females
Symmetry Often unilateral Symmetrical
Joint Involvement Symptoms begin gradually and are Affects small and large joints on
often limited to one set of joints, both sides of the body, such as both
usually the finger joints closest to the hands, both wrists or elbows, or the
fingernails or the thumbs, large balls of both feet
weight-bearing joints (hips, knees) or
the spine.
Number of Joints Monoarticular Polyarticular
Appearance of Joints Joints are painful, swollen, and stiff Joints ache and may be tender but
have little or no swelling
Morning Stiffness lasts less than 1 hour, usually <20 Morning stiffness often >1 hour
minutes