Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both types of arthritis that cause joint inflammation and pain. However, they have more differences than similarities.

Verywell / Julie Bang

Gout vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - Illustration by Julie Bang

Gout and RA share some similar symptoms because they’re both types of inflammatory arthritis. Their shared symptoms include:

However, each one has unique symptoms, which can help you and your healthcare provider differentiate between the two conditions.

Symptoms of RA may include:

Symptoms of goutinclude:

Gout and rheumatoid arthritis have very different causes.

Gout

The excess uric acid is usually eliminated with urine. However, if blood levels are too high, tiny, sharp uric acid crystals form. The crystals accumulate in joints in cooler body areas, like your toes (when your shoes are off). That’s why gout commonly affects the joint at the base of your big toe and symptoms flare up at night.

You may develop gout if your body makes too much uric acid, doesn’t eliminate enough, or its levels increase for other reasons. Certain medications and health conditions like kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes affect the way your body processes purines.As a result, blood levels of uric acid increase.

Uric acid also increases if your diet includes too many purine-containing foods. Shellfish, sardines, red meat, organ meats, beer, and red wine are high in purines.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is different from other types of arthritis because it is anautoimmunedisease.

In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. RA develops when the immune system attacks the joint lining, orsynovium, creating inflammation, pain, and swelling. Other joint structures are also affected as RA progresses and inflammation damages cartilage, ligaments, and bones. Bone damage results in joint deformity.

Beyond being an autoimmune disease, RA has another characteristic that sets it apart from gout: RA affects more than your joints. RA can cause inflammatory conditions in organs throughout your body, including your skin, eyes, heart, and lungs.

Diagnosis of gout or RA typically begins with a visit to your regular healthcare provider, who may refer you to arheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis.

For both conditions, a rheumatologist will gather your health history, a list of symptoms, and perform an examination of your joints, looking for swelling or deformity.

There are also some specific tests for both gout and RA that can lead to a diagnosis.

Gout is easiest to diagnose during a flare when the joints are swollen and painful.In some cases, a rheumatologist may be able to diagnose you based on symptoms and visual examination alone. However, there are some diagnostic tests that may indicate gout and help differentiate it from RA.

Synovial fluid analysisis considered the gold standard for gout diagnosis.Your healthcare provider will use a needle to withdraw the synovial fluid, which is a thick liquid within your joints. Then, they will examine this fluid under a microscope to look for uric acid crystals, which indicates gout.

Other tests that may be used todiagnose goutlook for joint damage, hyperuricemia, and kidney damage. These can include:

Similar to other autoimmune diseases, RA can be tricky to diagnose. It can present much like other conditions early on, and there is not just one single test that can diagnose it.

Some tests that a rheumatologist might run when diagnosing RA include:

Using the results of these tests, in combination with your symptom history and duration, your rheumatologist will make a diagnosis based on the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria. This is the most recent diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.It is a point-based system. A result of six to 10 points indicates RA, with higher points noting a higher degree of confidence that RA is the cause of your symptoms.

It’s essential to receive an accurate diagnosis of gout or RA, because treatments vary between the two conditions. It’s particularly important to diagnose both in the earliest possible stage.

Starting early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis prevents joint deformity and loss of function.Treating gout as soon as possible also prevents joint deformities due to tophi and helps stop each future flare-up from being longer and more painful.

The goal ofgout treatmentis to reduce pain and frequency of gout flares.

Some treatments your healthcare provider may recommend include:

Gout and DietResearchers warn that while a high-purine diet can lead to hyperuricemia and gout, genetics also play an important role.Therefore, dietary changes are important but often insufficient on their own to treat gout, and they should be considered in combination with medication.Shaming people into adopting a “gout-friendly” diet is rarely successful and should be avoided.

Gout and Diet

Researchers warn that while a high-purine diet can lead to hyperuricemia and gout, genetics also play an important role.Therefore, dietary changes are important but often insufficient on their own to treat gout, and they should be considered in combination with medication.Shaming people into adopting a “gout-friendly” diet is rarely successful and should be avoided.

Researchers warn that while a high-purine diet can lead to hyperuricemia and gout, genetics also play an important role.Therefore, dietary changes are important but often insufficient on their own to treat gout, and they should be considered in combination with medication.

Shaming people into adopting a “gout-friendly” diet is rarely successful and should be avoided.

RA should be treated as a matter of urgency to prevent further joint or organ damage.Treatmentswill vary from person to person but can include:

Genetics and other factors outside your control can contribute to both gout and rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent both conditions.

Keep in mind that making these changes can reduce your chances, but it doesn’t mean you should blame yourself if you do develop the condition.

Because it is an autoimmune disease,rheumatoid arthritis preventiontechniques may not completely stop you from developing the condition, but they may delay symptom onset and reduce severity.

Prevention focuses on altering or eliminating your risk factors, including:

Summary

Although gout and rheumatoid arthritis are both types of arthritis, there are many differences between the two. These include their causes, diagnostic and treatment options, and prevention measures. While they are different conditions with different pathologies, both RA and gout can cause intense joint pain and progressive damage that impact your daily life.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, et al.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017 Feb;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003.Vaidya B, Bhochhibhoya M, Nakarmi S.Synovial fluid uric acid level aids diagnosis of gout.Biomed Rep. 2018;9(1):60–64. doi:10.3892/br.2018.1097Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ, et al.2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62(9):2569-81. doi:10.1002/art.27584Pillinger M, Mandell B.Therapeutic approaches in the treatment of gout.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2020;50(3):S24-S30. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.04.010Chang K, Yang SM, Kim SH, Han KH, Park SJ, Shin JI.Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec 3;15(12):22279-95. doi:10.3390/ijms151222279Konig MF, Abusleme L, Reinholdt J, et al.Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis.Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(369). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaj1921

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, et al.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017 Feb;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003.Vaidya B, Bhochhibhoya M, Nakarmi S.Synovial fluid uric acid level aids diagnosis of gout.Biomed Rep. 2018;9(1):60–64. doi:10.3892/br.2018.1097Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ, et al.2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62(9):2569-81. doi:10.1002/art.27584Pillinger M, Mandell B.Therapeutic approaches in the treatment of gout.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2020;50(3):S24-S30. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.04.010Chang K, Yang SM, Kim SH, Han KH, Park SJ, Shin JI.Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec 3;15(12):22279-95. doi:10.3390/ijms151222279Konig MF, Abusleme L, Reinholdt J, et al.Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis.Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(369). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaj1921

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, et al.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017 Feb;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003.Vaidya B, Bhochhibhoya M, Nakarmi S.Synovial fluid uric acid level aids diagnosis of gout.Biomed Rep. 2018;9(1):60–64. doi:10.3892/br.2018.1097Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ, et al.2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62(9):2569-81. doi:10.1002/art.27584Pillinger M, Mandell B.Therapeutic approaches in the treatment of gout.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2020;50(3):S24-S30. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.04.010Chang K, Yang SM, Kim SH, Han KH, Park SJ, Shin JI.Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec 3;15(12):22279-95. doi:10.3390/ijms151222279Konig MF, Abusleme L, Reinholdt J, et al.Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis.Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(369). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaj1921

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.

Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, et al.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017 Feb;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003.

Vaidya B, Bhochhibhoya M, Nakarmi S.Synovial fluid uric acid level aids diagnosis of gout.Biomed Rep. 2018;9(1):60–64. doi:10.3892/br.2018.1097

Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ, et al.2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62(9):2569-81. doi:10.1002/art.27584

Pillinger M, Mandell B.Therapeutic approaches in the treatment of gout.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2020;50(3):S24-S30. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.04.010

Chang K, Yang SM, Kim SH, Han KH, Park SJ, Shin JI.Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec 3;15(12):22279-95. doi:10.3390/ijms151222279

Konig MF, Abusleme L, Reinholdt J, et al.Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis.Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(369). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaj1921

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