Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis How They Are Related—and How They Differ By Carol Eustice facebook Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Learn about our editorial process Carol Eustice Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD on September 13, 2020 linkedin Scott J. Zashin, MD, specializes in the treatment of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions using both traditional and alternative therapies. Learn about our Medical Review Board Scott Zashin, MD on September 13, 2020 Print The terms polyarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are often used interchangeably. While they are related, they don't mean the same thing. RA is a disease, while the other two are ways of describing a particular case of arthritis (how many joints are affected and the genesis of the disease). Hugo Lin / Verywell Polyarthritis Polyarthritis is defined as arthritis that affects five or more joints. The term simply means that multiple joints are involved; it does not make clear what type of arthritis is at play. Conditions that can cause polyarthritis include: Rheumatoid arthritisPsoriatic arthritisAnkylosing spondylitisReactive arthritisSpoldyloarthropathiesLupusSystemic vasculitis Polyarthritis isn't only tied to chronic illnesses. It also can be a transient symptom of a passing illness such as rheumatic fever. Treatments and the prognosis for polyarthritis depend on its specific cause. An Overview of Polyarthritis Inflammatory Arthritis The term inflammatory arthritis typically refers to arthritis due to autoimmune disease in multiple joints throughout the body. In autoimmune disease, your immune system misfires and attacks the body's own tissues. The damage it causes to the joint, and specifically the lining of the joint (called the synovium), leads to inflammation. Arthritis caused by inflammation is often associated with joint pain and stiffness, especially after periods of rest or inactivity, such as in morning stiffness. Swelling, redness, and warmth may surround the affected joints. Types of inflammatory arthritis include: Rheumatoid arthritisPsoriatic arthritisAnkylosing spondylitisGout and pseudogoutLupusLyme disease As with polyarthritis, treatments and outcomes for inflammatory arthritis depend on the specific diagnosis. Inflammatory arthritis may also be associated with systemic effects. Inflammatory Arthritis Types and Diagnosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a specific disease that is, by definition, a type of inflammatory polyarthritis. It's an autoimmune disease that typically involves many joints symmetrically (the same joint on both sides of the body) and may be associated with systemic effects. Early and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help prevent joint damage from the inflammation. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic drugs, often used in combination, are often part of the treatment regimen. TNF blockers, which are a type of biologic drug, effectively reduce chronic inflammation, decrease mortality, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with this disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Rheumatoid Arthritis A Word From Verywell If your doctor is using one of the above terms and you don't understand what it means in relation to your symptoms or diagnosis, be sure to ask. The better you understand what's going on in your body, the better armed you are to manage it, alleviate symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Alpay-Kanıtez N, Çelik S, Bes C. Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis. Eur J Rheumatol. 2018;6(4):167-173. Published 2018 Oct 1. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19145 Shankar B, Bhutia E, Kumar D. Atypical arthritis revisited: Acute rheumatic fever. Ann Pediatr Cardiol. 2016;9(2):164-166. doi:10.4103/0974-2069.180670 Arthritis Foundation. Tracking disease activity in inflammatory arthritis. Hospital for Special Surgery. Inflammatory Arthritis. Merck Manual Professional Version. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Updated May 2020. Additional Reading Raza K, Filer A. The Therapeutic Window of Opportunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Does It Ever Close? Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2015;74(5):793-794. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206993