Gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both types of arthritis that cause joint inflammation and pain.
However, they have more differences than similarities.
RA is an autoimmune condition that involves multiple joints and can spread through your body.
Verywell / Julie Bang
By comparison, gout is resulting from uric acid crystals and generally limited to your feet or hands.
Their treatments are also quite different.
Gout
Gout develops when uric acid (urate) accumulates in a joint.
The excess uric acid is usually eliminated with urine.
However, if blood levels are too high, tiny, sharp uric acid crystals form.
Uric acid also increases if your diet includes too many purine-containing foods.
Shellfish, sardines, red meat, organ meats, beer, and red wine are high in purines.
In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues.
Other joint structures are also affected as RA progresses and inflammation damages cartilage, ligaments, and bones.
Bone damage results in joint deformity.
It is not precisely known why some people develop autoimmune conditions like RA and others do not.
There are also some specific tests for both gout and RA that can lead to a diagnosis.
However, there are some diagnostic tests that may indicate gout and help differentiate it from RA.
Other tests that may be used todiagnose goutlook for joint damage, hyperuricemia, and kidney damage.
These can include:
Similar to other autoimmune diseases, RA can be tricky to diagnose.
This is the most recent diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.It is a point-based system.
It’s particularly important to diagnose both in the earliest possible stage.
The goal ofgout treatmentis to reduce pain and frequency of gout flares.
Shaming people into adopting a “gout-friendly” diet is rarely successful and should be avoided.
However, there are some lifestyle changes you’re able to make to prevent both conditions.
Since gout is a result of hyperuricemia,gout preventionfocuses on reducing the uric acid in your body.
These include their causes, diagnostic and treatment options, and prevention measures.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.
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