Lupus Vs. RA

Lupus and RA, the common abbreviation for rheumatoid arthritis, are both chronic inflammatory conditions. The difference is that while lupus can affect just about any body part, RA primarily occurs in the joints of the hands and feet.

Cause

• Both conditions are autoimmune disorders, meaning that your body's own immune system malfunctions and attacks parts of your body instead of viruses or other invaders.

Risk Factors

• Both conditions can affect either sex, but are more commonly diagnosed in women. A person of any age can be affected, but lupus is usually diagnosed in patients between 15 and 40 years old, while rheumatoid arthritis is most common between 40 and 60 years of age.

Symptoms

• Symptoms common to both conditions include fatigue, fever and joint pain. Lupus patients can also exhibit skin lesions and mouth sores, while RA sufferers can experience red, puffy hands and weight loss.

Diagnosis

• RA is diagnosed after a physical exam, blood tests and X-rays. Lupus diagnosis is a more involved process in which you need to exhibit at least four out of the 11 set criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology, including a face rash, mouth sores and joint pain.

Treatment

• The most common treatment for both conditions is the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, and corticosteroids, both of which reduce inflammation.