Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions affecting a huge number of people. They are recognized by cartilage degeneration and bone overgrowth. They are similar in the sense that, they both affect joints. The main difference between the two types of arthritis is the source behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is usually caused by mechanical wear and tear on body joints where aching is tender with little or no swelling whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused when the body’s immune system attacks body joints causing them to be painful, swollen, and stiff. In addition, Rheumatoid arthritis is distinct since it usually involves inflammation in bilateral joints and characterized by systemic features of fatigue and fever, as opposed to Osteoarthritis where body symptoms are not present ( Huether, McCance & , 2017) .
Age factor of a patient greatly affects the pathophysiology of disorders since aging usually has an impact on the musculoskeletal system. In other words, it affects the extracellular matrix structure thus causing changes in joints tissues and in turn increases the risk of the development of Osteoarthritis ( Catherine & Fuller, 2016) . For rheumatoid arthritis, it is suspected that aging causes activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, which is a potential cause of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is mostly common at the age 20 to 30 years while osteoarthritis is prevalent at the age of 50 years and above. Diagnosis is through stiffness, joint enlargement, and pain. The treatment method suggested for ageing people is use of Non-pharmacologic therapy. It involves regular exercises that strengthen joints.
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Gender risk factor also affects the pathophysiology of the disorders. Recent study to determine the pathogenesis of arthritis in males and females discovered that generally women have a higher prevalence of Osteoarthritis than men do. For 50 year-old patients, the disease is prevalent more in men than in women, with the trend significantly changes as age advances due to menopause in latter. This study suggests development of the disease could be due to hormonal factors ( Senie, 2014) . In addition, the difference could depend on structure, alignment, and strength of bones between women and men. Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is also rising among women, with the reason being attributed to sex chromosomes. Here, diagnosis is mainly through physical exams and laboratory tests with treatment through medications such as analgesics and steroid injections.
References
Catherine, C. G., Fuller, K. S. (2016). Pathology for the Physical Therapist Assistant - E-Book. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Senie, R. T. (2014). Epidemiology of Women's Health. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Huether, S. E., McCance, K. L.& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.ke/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Clayton+F.+Parkinson%22" Parkinson , C. F. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
