Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSimilaritiesDifferencesDiagnosis
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Table of Contents
Similarities
Differences
Diagnosis
Multiple sclerosis(MS) andrheumatoid arthritis(RA) are bothautoimmune diseasesthat develop in similar ways.An autoimmune disease occurs when theimmune systemmistakes healthy cells for foreign pathogens and attacks them. While MS and RA can appear similar, the two have distinct differences.
MS targets thebrainandspinal cord, attacking themyelin sheath, which is the protective coating found on nerves. RA mainly targets the cartilage in the joints. In some cases, the two diseases can occur simultaneously, which causes confusion in diagnosis and treatment.
This article discusses the similarities and differences between MS and RA, as well as the diagnostic tools used to determine whether a person has MS, RA, or both.
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BothMS and RA have similar disease progressionand are often considered the most disabling autoimmune diseases. Similarities between the two diseases include:
Because of the similarities between the two diseases, they are sometimes referred to as “siblings.”
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
The symptoms that occur in both can also differ, although some are the same. The differing symptoms of RA and MS include:
Multiple SclerosisVision problemsNumbness and tinglingMuscle spasmsStiff or weak musclesCognitive issues that affect thinking, learning, and planningSexual issuesBladder and bowel dysfunctionTight squeezing feeling around the torso, which is known as an MS hugRheumatoid ArthritisPain in the jointsJoint stiffnessJoint swellingTenderness in the jointsJoints on both sides of the body are affected at the same timeFeverWeight lossIrreversible joint damageFatigue
Multiple SclerosisVision problemsNumbness and tinglingMuscle spasmsStiff or weak musclesCognitive issues that affect thinking, learning, and planningSexual issuesBladder and bowel dysfunctionTight squeezing feeling around the torso, which is known as an MS hug
Vision problems
Numbness and tingling
Muscle spasms
Stiff or weak muscles
Cognitive issues that affect thinking, learning, and planning
Sexual issues
Bladder and bowel dysfunction
Tight squeezing feeling around the torso, which is known as an MS hug
Rheumatoid ArthritisPain in the jointsJoint stiffnessJoint swellingTenderness in the jointsJoints on both sides of the body are affected at the same timeFeverWeight lossIrreversible joint damageFatigue
Pain in the joints
Joint stiffness
Joint swelling
Tenderness in the joints
Joints on both sides of the body are affected at the same time
Fever
Weight loss
Irreversible joint damage
Fatigue
The main goal after diagnosing either condition is to investigate:
Remission is a period when the symptoms of disease go away completely or are reduced.
Why Is Early Diagnosis Important?Since both conditions worsen over time, an early diagnosis is important because it leads to early treatment. The faster treatment begins, the better chance people have at slowing the progression of the disease.
Why Is Early Diagnosis Important?
Since both conditions worsen over time, an early diagnosis is important because it leads to early treatment. The faster treatment begins, the better chance people have at slowing the progression of the disease.
Summary
Both MS and RA are autoimmune diseases. The immune system mistakes healthy parts of the body for foreign invaders and begins to destroy them. There are several similarities between the two diseases, such as some symptoms, the type of problems that develop, and how it progresses over time.
However, there are also some differences, including the typical symptoms and the body areas affected. The best way to tell the difference between the two diseases is to judge your symptoms. RA will be most present in the joints, whereas MS can cause symptoms in many areas of the body.
Healthcare providers have to use symptoms, physical attributes of the diseases, and the results from various lab tests to diagnose either condition. An early diagnosis can help reduce disease progression and limit a person’s risk of suffering from debilitating symptoms later on.
A Word From Verywell
Having an autoimmune disease such as MS or RA can be difficult to cope with, because they get worse over time. Remember that both diseases are treatable, and slowing the progression is possible. If you have symptoms of either disease or both, see your healthcare provider for a prompt investigation. MS and RA are similar, but not the same, and it’s essential to know what you have for the best possible treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t a symptom of MS. However, research has shown that there is an increase in rheumatoid arthritis cases in people who already have MS.This doesn’t mean that everyone with MS will develop RA, but they are at an increased risk.
There are many early warning signs of RA. Some of these include swelling, stiffness, pain, and aches in the joints. Weight loss and fever can also occur in the early stages of RA. Other early symptoms include fatigue and weakness, symptoms that are also common in MS.Learn MoreEarly Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are many early warning signs of RA. Some of these include swelling, stiffness, pain, and aches in the joints. Weight loss and fever can also occur in the early stages of RA. Other early symptoms include fatigue and weakness, symptoms that are also common in MS.
Learn MoreEarly Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Since MS affects the central nervous system, early symptoms can develop in various areas of the body. While not everyone with MS will experience all the early signs, they will experience some of them. The early symptoms of MS can include bladder and bowel dysfunction, numbness and tingling in the body, a tight-squeezing feeling around the torso (an MS hug), and weakness and fatigue.Learn MoreEarly Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
Since MS affects the central nervous system, early symptoms can develop in various areas of the body. While not everyone with MS will experience all the early signs, they will experience some of them. The early symptoms of MS can include bladder and bowel dysfunction, numbness and tingling in the body, a tight-squeezing feeling around the torso (an MS hug), and weakness and fatigue.
Learn MoreEarly Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
6 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.Tseng CC, Chang SJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine.2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999Schett G.Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis: direful siblings, different strategies.FEBS Lett.2011;585(23):3601-3602. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2011.10.030Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Health Service.Symptoms: multiple sclerosis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How is MS diagnosed?.Aletaha D, Smolen JS.Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis: A review.JAMA.2018;320(13):1360-1372. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13103
6 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.Tseng CC, Chang SJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine.2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999Schett G.Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis: direful siblings, different strategies.FEBS Lett.2011;585(23):3601-3602. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2011.10.030Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Health Service.Symptoms: multiple sclerosis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How is MS diagnosed?.Aletaha D, Smolen JS.Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis: A review.JAMA.2018;320(13):1360-1372. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13103
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.
Tseng CC, Chang SJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine.2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999Schett G.Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis: direful siblings, different strategies.FEBS Lett.2011;585(23):3601-3602. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2011.10.030Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).National Health Service.Symptoms: multiple sclerosis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How is MS diagnosed?.Aletaha D, Smolen JS.Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis: A review.JAMA.2018;320(13):1360-1372. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13103
Tseng CC, Chang SJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine.2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999
Schett G.Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis: direful siblings, different strategies.FEBS Lett.2011;585(23):3601-3602. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2011.10.030
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
National Health Service.Symptoms: multiple sclerosis.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How is MS diagnosed?.
Aletaha D, Smolen JS.Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis: A review.JAMA.2018;320(13):1360-1372. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13103
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