Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Multiple sclerosis(MS) andrheumatoid arthritis(RA) are both autoimmune diseases, conditions in which the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. Inmultiple sclerosis, those attacks are directed at the central nervous system—specifically themyelin sheaththat protects nerve cells. Inrheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks target thesynovium—the lining of the joints.

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Healthcare provider discusses symptoms and tests with person who may have MS or RA

MS and RA share some symptoms, including numbing and tingling, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, problems with mobility, and eye inflammation, which can lead to eye pain and vision problems.

MS SymptomsNumbness and tinglingChronic fatigueEye inflammationMuscle spasmsVertigo and dizzinessMemory problemsSlurred speechSeizures and tremorsMood swingsSexual, bowel, and bladder function problemsRA SymptomsNumbness and tinglingChronic fatigueEye inflammationJoint pain and stiffnessMorning joint stiffnessLow-grade feversMuscle painMalaise(a general feeling of being unwell)Finger joint deformitiesSymmetrical joint involvement

MS SymptomsNumbness and tinglingChronic fatigueEye inflammationMuscle spasmsVertigo and dizzinessMemory problemsSlurred speechSeizures and tremorsMood swingsSexual, bowel, and bladder function problems

Numbness and tingling

Chronic fatigue

Eye inflammation

Muscle spasms

Vertigo and dizziness

Memory problems

Slurred speech

Seizures and tremors

Mood swings

Sexual, bowel, and bladder function problems

RA SymptomsNumbness and tinglingChronic fatigueEye inflammationJoint pain and stiffnessMorning joint stiffnessLow-grade feversMuscle painMalaise(a general feeling of being unwell)Finger joint deformitiesSymmetrical joint involvement

Joint pain and stiffness

Morning joint stiffness

Low-grade fevers

Muscle pain

Malaise(a general feeling of being unwell)

Finger joint deformities

Symmetrical joint involvement

Multiple Sclerosis

MS causes many different symptoms that vary from person to person. Some people with MS will experience mild symptoms for most of their lives, while others will have severe symptoms and ongoing disease progression.

Symptoms of MSthat usually differ from those of RA include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA causes inflammation and swelling in the linings of the joints. Over time, ongoing inflammation can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.

Symptoms of RAthat usually differ from MS include:

RA is also known for disease complications commonly seen in people with severe RA. Without early and adequate treatment, chronicinflammationcan lead to disease consequences.

Complications of RA include:

The causes of MS and RA are unknown. Researchers believe that both conditions are related to genetics. Having specific genes or a family history can increase your risk for MS or RA.

Genes alone are not enough to cause RA.For most people, additional risk factors are necessary for the disease to develop.

Additional risk factors linked to RA include:

Can MS and RA Coexist?Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune diseases. They result when your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. It is possible to have more than one autoimmune disease, so MS and RA can coexist. There have been numerous investigative reports that suggest a connection between MS and RA and their coexistence. This due to similar immune processes and common genetic backgrounds.

Can MS and RA Coexist?

Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune diseases. They result when your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. It is possible to have more than one autoimmune disease, so MS and RA can coexist. There have been numerous investigative reports that suggest a connection between MS and RA and their coexistence. This due to similar immune processes and common genetic backgrounds.

MS and RA are diagnosed differently. Each has its specific diagnostic criteria and testing methods. For example, RA is linked to specific inflammatory markers (substances that can be measured in the blood), whereas MS is diagnosed with spinal taps and MRIs to look for MS-specific lesions.

It is important to see a healthcare provider as soon as symptoms occur to get an accurate diagnosis and help control either disease if present.

There is no one specific test to confirm MS. Adiagnosis of MStypically involves ruling out other conditions that might produce similar symptoms.

Your healthcare provider will start with a medical history andneurological examination. Let your healthcare provider know about the symptoms you have experienced and any patterns linked to symptoms.

With the neurological exam, your healthcare provider looks for changes to your vision, eye movement, hand and leg strength, balance issues, speech problems, and reflex abnormalities.

If MS is suspected, additional testing is used to help confirm the diagnosis. This testing might include:

An RA diagnosis involves a physical examination, medical history, blood work, and imaging.

Your healthcare provider will want to know about your family history of RA or other autoimmune diseases. They will also ask about the symptoms you are currently experiencing and your medical history.

Your healthcare provider will check your joints for inflammation (swelling), tenderness, redness, or warmth during the physical exam. They may also check your muscle strength and reflexes.

Blood testscan help diagnose RA, and might include:

Imaging studies also are used to diagnose RA, including:

Your healthcare provider might be unable to make a diagnosis based on your physical exam, blood work, and imaging. In that case, they may suggestjoint aspiration(using a needle to remove fluid from the space around the joint) andanalysis of thesynovialfluidto narrow down a diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with MS or RA, you should meet with your healthcare provider regularly. These are aggressive conditions, and they need regular monitoring and strong medicines, so they don’t become life-threatening. Consistent healthcare visits can help improve your outlook and preserve your quality of life.

These conditions also affect vital organs, specifically the eyes. Make sure you are getting your eyes checked annually to look for changes or problems before they worsen.

There is some overlap in medicines used for MS and RA. Medicines used in treating both conditions aredisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(DMARDs),biologic drug therapies, andcorticosteroids.

There is no cure for MS, but many medicines and other treatments can help to control the disease and treat symptoms. Occupational, physical, and vision therapy may also be part of a plan to manage MS symptoms.

Treatment for MS will depend on thetype of MSand the severity of symptoms. In general,MS can be treatedwith the following medicines:

The main treatment goals in RA are to control inflammation, manage pain, and reduce the potential for joint damage and disability. There is no cure for the disease, so reducing its progression is the goal.Treatment for RAincludes medicines, physical therapy,occupational therapy, and in some cases, surgery.

Medicines used to treat RA include:

Physical and occupational therapy can help manage aspects of your daily life with RA. Aphysical therapistcan give you information about safe exercises to keep your joints strong and mobile. Anoccupational therapistcan teach you how to safely handle daily tasks, such as cooking or job tasks, and suggest assistive devices that might help you.

Joint replacement surgery is done in cases in which pain and inflammation have become extremely difficult or if joints are severely damaged. Surgery can dramatically improve a person’s mobility and reduce pain.

MS and RA are not preventable conditions. If you have someone with a family history of MS, RA, or another autoimmune disease, talk to your healthcare provider about this risk factor and others you may have.

Even if you have an increased genetic risk for MS or RA, it is impossible to predict whether you will have one of these conditions in the future. Fortunately, it is possible to slow down disease progression in both conditions and prevent flare-ups (or worsening symptoms). Both MS and RA are linked to disease triggers might include stress, fatigue, infections, certain medications, diet, and smoking.

Summary

Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune diseases. They result when a person’s immune system malfunctions and starts attacking healthy tissues. With MS, immune system attacks are targeted at the myelin sheath (which protects nerves). In RA, the linings of the joints are targeted.

There is no cure for MS or RA, and both of these conditions can worsen over time. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for slowing down these conditions and reducing the potential for permanent damage. Neither disease is preventable, and there is no way of knowing who may develop MS or RA.

17 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Serra A, Chisari CG, Matta M.Eye movement abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, modeling, and treatment.Front Neurol. 2018;9:31. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00031National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vertigo and dizziness.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures and multiple sclerosis.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatoid arthritis.Wu D, Luo Y, Li T, et al.Systemic complications of rheumatoid arthritis: Focus on pathogenesis and treatment.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1051082. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051082Nourbakhsh B, Mowry EM.Multiple sclerosis risk factors and pathogenesis.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2019;25(3):596-610. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000725Yale Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, Kuhn KA, Norris JM, Holers VM.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003Tseng CC, ChangSJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Patel SJ, Lundy DC.Ocular manifestations of autoimmune disease.afp. 2002;66(6):991-998.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Buc M.New biological agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.Bratisl LekListy. 2018;119(4):191-197. doi:10.4149/BLL_2018_035Khan F, Amatya B, Galea M.Management of fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis.Front Neurol. 2014;5:177. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00177MedlinePlus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al.2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(7):924-939. doi:10.1002/acr.24596

17 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Serra A, Chisari CG, Matta M.Eye movement abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, modeling, and treatment.Front Neurol. 2018;9:31. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00031National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vertigo and dizziness.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures and multiple sclerosis.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatoid arthritis.Wu D, Luo Y, Li T, et al.Systemic complications of rheumatoid arthritis: Focus on pathogenesis and treatment.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1051082. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051082Nourbakhsh B, Mowry EM.Multiple sclerosis risk factors and pathogenesis.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2019;25(3):596-610. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000725Yale Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, Kuhn KA, Norris JM, Holers VM.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003Tseng CC, ChangSJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Patel SJ, Lundy DC.Ocular manifestations of autoimmune disease.afp. 2002;66(6):991-998.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Buc M.New biological agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.Bratisl LekListy. 2018;119(4):191-197. doi:10.4149/BLL_2018_035Khan F, Amatya B, Galea M.Management of fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis.Front Neurol. 2014;5:177. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00177MedlinePlus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al.2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(7):924-939. doi:10.1002/acr.24596

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.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Serra A, Chisari CG, Matta M.Eye movement abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, modeling, and treatment.Front Neurol. 2018;9:31. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00031National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vertigo and dizziness.Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures and multiple sclerosis.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatoid arthritis.Wu D, Luo Y, Li T, et al.Systemic complications of rheumatoid arthritis: Focus on pathogenesis and treatment.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1051082. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051082Nourbakhsh B, Mowry EM.Multiple sclerosis risk factors and pathogenesis.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2019;25(3):596-610. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000725Yale Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Kelmenson LB, Kuhn KA, Norris JM, Holers VM.Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(1):3-18. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.08.003Tseng CC, ChangSJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Patel SJ, Lundy DC.Ocular manifestations of autoimmune disease.afp. 2002;66(6):991-998.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Buc M.New biological agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.Bratisl LekListy. 2018;119(4):191-197. doi:10.4149/BLL_2018_035Khan F, Amatya B, Galea M.Management of fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis.Front Neurol. 2014;5:177. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00177MedlinePlus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al.2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(7):924-939. doi:10.1002/acr.24596

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).

Serra A, Chisari CG, Matta M.Eye movement abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, modeling, and treatment.Front Neurol. 2018;9:31. doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00031

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vertigo and dizziness.

Epilepsy Foundation.Seizures and multiple sclerosis.

American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatoid arthritis.

Wu D, Luo Y, Li T, et al.Systemic complications of rheumatoid arthritis: Focus on pathogenesis and treatment.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1051082. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051082

Nourbakhsh B, Mowry EM.Multiple sclerosis risk factors and pathogenesis.Continuum(Minneap Minn). 2019;25(3):596-610. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000725

Yale Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).

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

Tseng CC, ChangSJ, Tsai WC, et al.Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in multiple sclerosis: A nationwide cohort study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(26):e3999. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003999

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.

Patel SJ, Lundy DC.Ocular manifestations of autoimmune disease.afp. 2002;66(6):991-998.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.

Buc M.New biological agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.Bratisl LekListy. 2018;119(4):191-197. doi:10.4149/BLL_2018_035

Khan F, Amatya B, Galea M.Management of fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis.Front Neurol. 2014;5:177. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00177

MedlinePlus.Rheumatoid arthritis.

Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al.2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(7):924-939. doi:10.1002/acr.24596

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