What’s The Difference Between Lupus Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Lupus has often been called “the great imitator,” because its symptoms — like joint pain, rash, hair loss, cognitive problems, swelling, and fatigue — are similar to many other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. One of the conditions most often confused with lupus is rheumatoid arthritis. But although the two conditions have similar symptoms, there are key differences that can help you and your doctor make the correct diagnosis and find the treatment that will help you manage your symptoms.

Know The Similarities and Differences Between Lupus and RA

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune diseases. That means they are caused by the body’s immune system overreacting and attacking healthy cells and tissue. Both conditions can cause inflammation, leading to the same symptoms, including:

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
Dry eyes
Mild fever
Weight loss

In addition, both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis tend to cycle between flare-ups, when symptoms get more intense, and periods of remission, when they get better or go away.

But there are some differences. While people with lupus often have joint pain, it’s usually not as severe as rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, lupus can have some unique symptoms that won’t show up with RA patients, including kidney problems, headaches, and a butterfly-shaped rash that covers the nose and cheeks.

6 Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis tends to be a progressive disease that can come on slowly and get more severe over time. Joint pain and inflammation usually starts in the smaller joints like the fingers and feet but can progress into other parts of the body like the wrists, elbows, knees, and more. In addition to pain and tenderness, people with RA often experience joint stiffness, especially first thing in the morning. As the disease progresses, their joints may also become twisted or deformed.

While joint pain is the most well-known symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also affect other parts of the body. Other symptoms can include:

Fatigue
Anemia
Dry eyes and mouth
Nodules under the skin near healthy joints
Chest pain and shortness of breath
Numbness in the hands

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but there are some risk factors. Women are more likely to have RA than men, and it usually starts in middle age. Smoking and obesity can increase the risk, and people who have a family member with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to get it as well.

13 Common Lupus Symptoms

Lupus can affect many parts of the body, so it causes a variety of symptoms, and the symptoms can change or move around over time. Common symptoms of lupus include:

Extreme fatigue
Fever
Hair loss
Headaches
Joint pain and swelling
Edema, or swelling, in the feet and legs, the hands, or around the eyes
Anemia
Chest pain when taking a deep breath
“Butterfly” rash across the face
Sensitivity to light or sun
Blood clotting problems
Ulcers in the mouth or nose
Raynaud’s disease

Like RA, gender is a major risk factor for lupus. Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women. It also tends to be more common in African Americans. The first symptoms of lupus usually show up in someone’s teens, 20s, or 30s. Over time, it can cause problems with the kidneys, heart, lungs, and other parts of the body.

Getting a Diagnosis for Lupus or RA

Because lupus and RA have a variety of symptoms, it can take time to get a clear diagnosis. Your doctor will start by checking your symptoms, asking about your family history, and doing a physical exam. They will likely also order some different tests, including blood tests to check for certain antibodies and other clues about your immune system, X-rays or other scans to look at your joints, and urine tests to check your kidney function.

By looking at all the evidence, they will be better able to determine whether your symptoms are caused by lupus or RA.

Treatment Options for Lupus and RA

Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are both chronic, lifelong conditions, but they can be managed with treatment. Medications used to treat RA work by reducing inflammation and weakening or moderating the immune system to stop it from attacking healthy tissue.

Many of these medications are also used to manage lupus, along with antimalarial drugs like Plaquenil, which has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity flare-ups, reduce light sensitivity, slow the progression of the disease, and minimize damage to organs.

Some of the generic medications you can find on RxSaver™ along with the pricing for the most typical quantity dispensed include:

In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can help you manage symptoms and stay healthy. Avoiding foods that trigger flare-ups and eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help keep symptoms under control. Staying physically active with low-impact exercises can strengthen joints and help you maintain your mobility. And getting plenty of rest can help you manage stress and prevent flare-ups for both diseases. In addition to other healthy habits, people with lupus should avoid spending too much time in the sun, which can trigger flare-ups. You should also talk with your doctor before trying to get pregnant, since problems during pregnancy may be more likely for women with lupus.

Work With Your Health Care Provider for an Autoimmune Health Plan

While it can be frustrating to live with uncomfortable or painful symptoms while you wait for a diagnosis, it is possible to tell the difference between these two apparently similar diseases.

By carefully paying attention to symptoms and conducting tests, doctors can determine whether you have lupus or RA. And with proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, you can keep symptoms under control and manage the disease.