Arthritis/ Identification of Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

            Osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease that occurs as a result of the breakdown of the cartilage, thus leading into pain, swelling and stiffness. Its symptom is mostly stiffness. The tissue mainly affected in the disease is the cartilage. The initial abnormality that indicates the inception of osteoarthritis is the malfunctioning of the chondrocyte that affects the composition of the cartilage (Huether & McCance, 2012). It leads to a reduction in the production of the large proteins used in retaining water within the cartilage hence it dehydrates. In its early stages, the bone is laid down which tries to strengthen the area however, it fatigues with time. Therefore, micro-fractures are developed that cause swelling in the bone near the joint and that marks the start of the joint deformity (McPhee & Hammer, 2012).

            Conversely, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by inflammation in the joints. The initial triggers of this disease are not clear; genetics, environmental factors or hormones may all be the cause. Once the immune is triggered, antibodies and inflammatory cytokines are produced which creates a cascade of inflammation hence the formation of pannus (McPhee & Hammer, 2012). The pannus destroys the cartilage causing more damages and complications to the joint. Unlike the osteoarthritis, rheumatoid affects multiple joints.

Selected factors: gender and age

            According to the study on the two diseases, rheumatoid arthritis can occur between 20 to 30 years of age and goes to its peak at the age of 35 to 50 years. Similarly, the occurrence of rheumatoid is higher in women as compared to men. For osteoarthritis, it highly occurs at 65 years of age and above and frequently in women after their 50 years of age (McPhee & Hammer, 2012).

            The diagnosis of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid is based on the patient history. The radiologic evidence must be obtained to rule out the presence of the disease for instance for osteoarthritis, asymmetrical narrowing of the joint is observed. Various treatment strategies are taken to improve the condition of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid (Huether & McCance, 2012). For osteoarthritis, treatment is more of symptomatic whereas for rheumatoid, treatment can reduce or even prevent the development. In addition, exercise is recommended for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid in order to maintain joint function.

References

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2012). Understanding pathophysiology.

McPhee, S. J., & Hammer, G. D. (2012). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical.