Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid

¶ … pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Consider the similarities and differences of the disorders.

The condition of osteoarthritis is marked by the loss of cartilage in the joints that causes in pain and a loss of functioning, primarily in the knees and hips (Woolf & Pleger, 2003). In addition, metabolic changes resulting from obesity have been suggested as one possible mechanism of osteoarthritis (Lee & Steffes, 2007). Where it is available, joint replacement surgery has been shown to provide effective relief (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003).

By contrast, the precise cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, but what is known is that an external trigger (e.g., cigarette smoking, infection, or trauma) can cause an autoimmune reaction in some people that results in synovial hypertrophy and chronic joint inflammation (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2013). What is also known for certain is that rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that typically involves more than one joint (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003). The defining characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent symmetric polyarthritis that involves the feet and hands; however, any joint that has a synovial membrane lining can be affected (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2013).

The continuing inflammation that is associated with the condition frequently resulted in the destruction of affected joints; however, the condition is controllable with medications (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003). The clinical course of rheumatoid arthritis varies significantly from patient to patient, but many sufferers have experienced improvements as a result of new treatments (Reinseth & Kjeken, 2012). Nevertheless, despite the availability of new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, remission is only achieved by approximately 10-36% of early rheumatoid arthritis patients (Reinseth & Kjeken, 2012). Although the overall incidence of rheumatoid arthritis is declining, the increase in the number of elderly in some parts of the world makes it difficult to estimate the prevalence rate of the disease in the future (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003).

Select two of the following patient factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how the factors you selected might impact the pathophysiology of the disorders, as well as the diagnosis of and treatment for the disorders.