Arthritis – an inflammatory disease of the joints

What is arthritis?

The term “arthritis” is derived from the Greek word “arthron” (joint) and the suffix “-itis” (inflammation). In addition to arthritis, osteoarthritis is also part of the broad group of joint diseases. The two terms are sometimes confused. But there is one key difference: Osteoarthritis refers to wear and tear, whereas arthritis refers to inflammation.

Since osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joint cartilage, it primarily affects older people—in fact, the majority of people over the age of 65 develop osteoarthritis. You can find more information about the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of osteoarthritis here:

• More About Arthorse

Unlike osteoarthritis, the inflammatory joint condition known as arthritis can occur at any age. It can affect a single joint (in which case it is called monoarthritis), but it can also affect several joints (oligoarthritis) or many joints (if more than five joints are affected, it is called polyarthritis).

Arthritis can manifest in different ways and take a variety of forms and subtypes. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis

The most common inflammatory joint disease is rheumatoid arthritis, which used to be called chronic polyarthritis. It is part of the broad group of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatism—or “rheuma” for short—is considered the number one widespread disease: About two million people in Switzerland suffer from it. About 90,000 of them (roughly one percent of the population) have rheumatoid arthritis, with women being affected about three times as often as men. Children can also develop rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50.

Typical symptoms include pain and swelling in the base joints of the fingers and toes, as well as stiffness in the affected joints upon waking (“morning stiffness”). It can last up to an hour. The pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in flare-ups: symptom-free periods alternate with painful days. If you have this form of arthritis, there may be others in your family who have it as well: Rheumatoid arthritis tends to run in families. Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

It is also known as psoriatic arthritis and affects patients who have previously had psoriasis or who still suffer from it. Psoriatic arthritis often does not develop until many years after the onset of psoriasis. The condition often affects the knee joints, the spine, and the joints of the fingers and toes—but unlike rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis can also affect the distal joints.

Reactive Arthritis

It is also called post-infectious arthritis , meaning it is a form of arthritis that occurs after an infection. For example, a few days to several weeks after a bacterial intestinal infection or urethritis. Arthritis resulting from inflammation of the urethra often affects young men. The joints affected by reactive arthritis are usually located in the lower body; the knees and ankles are most commonly affected.

Enteropathic spondyloarthritis

It is also known as enteropathic arthritis or enteropathic spondylitis; spondylitis is the inflammation of the vertebrae. This form of arthritis occurs in conjunction with a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Typical symptoms of enteropathic spondyloarthritis include lower back pain, which occurs mainly at night. Symptoms often begin before the age of 45 and do not subside at rest.

Spondyloarthropathies

In a subgroup of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, the spine may be affected in addition to the joints. Spondyloarthritides include axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and enteropathic spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis

It used to be called ankylosing spondyloarthritis or spondylitis ankylosans (“ankylosing” means “stiffening”) and was known primarily by the name Bechterew’s disease . The new term also includes mild forms. This form of arthritis affects the entire spine. In extreme cases, recurrent and progressive inflammation can lead to ossification of the spine.

• You can find out more about ankylosing spondylitis here

Lyme Arthritis

It is also known as Lyme disease arthritis or Borrelia arthritis. This form of inflammatory joint disease develops several weeks or months after a tick bite (often referred to as a “tick bite”). In this process, the body is first infected with Borrelia bacteria. If these bacteria spread to the joints, Lyme disease can lead to recurrent or persistent (chronic) arthritis. Joint inflammation often affects the knee joint. Unlike septic arthritis, the pathogens can only be detected indirectly in the joint. Antibiotics must be administered to treat both conditions.

Gout

It is also known as gouty arthritis or microcrystalline arthritis and is primarily known by the name gout . It occurs when uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints. However, gout is often considered less a form of arthritis than a distinct disease. It occurs in about 2 percent of the population and affects approximately 150,000 people in Switzerland—the vast majority of whom are men. This is because women have female sex hormones that have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote the excretion of uric acid.

• You can learn more about gout here

Symptoms: What Are the Signs of Arthritis?

An inflammatory joint condition can occur suddenly, and sometimes the accompanying pain goes away after just a short time. However, it can also develop gradually and become a long-term problem. Doctors therefore distinguish between two fundamentally different forms of the condition: acute arthritis and chronic arthritis:

Acute Arthritis

The affected joint is very painful, is very red, swollen, and feels hot to the touch: If you suddenly experience these symptoms, it may indicate acute arthritis. This form of joint inflammation usually lasts less than six weeks and often goes away on its own. Sometimes acute arthritis is accompanied by a fever, and you may also feel weak.

Chronic Arthritis

In addition to joint pain and swelling, chronic arthritis is associated with another symptom: If you suffer from this form of joint inflammation, you will experience stiffness in your joints in addition to the pain. The joint stiffness typical of arthritis is most noticeable in the morning and can last for as long as half an hour or even a full hour. Chronic arthritis often occurs in flare-ups (i.e., it is recurrent) and lasts longer than six weeks. It does not go away on its own but requires effective treatment.

Causes: How Does Arthritis Develop?

Since there are many different forms of arthritis, the causes of arthritis can also vary widely. Among other things, bacteria, viruses, metabolic disorders, and rheumatism can contribute to the development of joint inflammation. Sometimes, multiple factors contribute to the development of arthritis.

This also applies to the most common form of inflammatory joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, in which the body’s own immune system plays a role in its development.

It identifies parts of its own body as foreign and attacks them. Rheumatoid arthritis is therefore an autoimmune disease. Certain genetic factors and smoking may also play a role.

Diagnosis: How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?

If you suffer from joint pain, it is important for your doctor to identify the specific type of arthritis from among the many possible forms so that it can be treated effectively. If it is indeed arthritis, in which case the healthcare professional will feel joint swelling or detect it via an ultrasound examination. Joint pain without any palpable findings is referred to as arthralgia. Arthritis can be distinguished from osteoarthritis (joint degeneration) through a clinical examination and ultrasound or X-ray imaging. Osteoarthritis typically causes pain upon starting to move and is also accompanied by morning stiffness; however, this stiffness lasts much shorter (about 15–30 minutes) than with arthritis (> 1 hour).

An important characteristic of arthritis is inflammation of the synovial membrane. It lines the inside of the joint capsule, where synovial fluid is produced. If your doctor detects a palpable swelling or tenderness over the joint, this confirms the presence of arthritis. Various medical tests help determine the type of arthritis and its severity. These include

• Blood tests,
• Sonography (ultrasound) and
• Imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT, and MRI.

Your doctor will also ask you about any pre-existing conditions that could be potential triggers for arthritis.

Treatment: How Is Arthritis Treated?

The treatment of joint inflammation depends entirely on the underlying cause of the arthritis in question. For example, if it was caused by bacteria, antibiotics can help. If the body’s own immune system is involved in the development of arthritis, antirheumatic drugs that regulate the immune system must be administered. Cortisone can be used temporarily; it acts more quickly and can bridge the gap until most antirheumatic drugs take effect. Pain relievers can alleviate arthritis symptoms, and anti-rheumatic drugs are intended to help preserve cartilage and bone and prevent joint deformities.

But medication isn’t the only option when it comes to treating arthritis. Physical therapy (kinesiotherapy) is often helpful in maintaining or improving joint mobility. Occupational therapy, thermotherapy (heat or cold), and exercise also help many arthritis patients. Sports such as swimming, water aerobics, and Nordic walking, among others, may be suitable. And as with many other illnesses, the same applies to inflamed joints: If you have arthritis, make sure to eat a healthy diet and avoid being overweight as much as possible.

• Overview of the Different Types of Joint Pain (Arthralgia)