What You Need to Know About Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are two very different conditions, with a surprising number of similarities. Both are more likely to affect women than men, and both can lead to symptoms such as pain and deformities.
Additionally, people who have rheumatoid arthritis may be at greater risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. This is due to a combination of medication, lack of mobility, and possibly even as a direct result of the disease.
Five Differences Between Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and how these two conditions could be related.
Bones vs. Joints
The most obvious difference between osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis is that osteoporosis affects the bones, whereas rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints.
Bones are made up of a combination of collagen fibers and minerals such as calcium. These minerals give the bones their structure and strength, allowing them to support the weight of our bodies. In osteoporosis, the concentration of these minerals is reduced and the bones become weak, brittle, and sponge-like. This increases the risk of fractures in the affected bones.
Joints are the meeting point of two bones, and they allow us to move our bodies freely. In the joints, the ends of the bones are covered with a substance called cartilage and surrounded by a capsule known as the synovium. The synovium produces synovial fluid, which lubricates the bones and stops them from grinding together as we move. In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovium becomes inflamed leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although some of the symptoms of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are similar, there are some key differences too.
Osteoporosis most often affects the bones of the wrists, hips, and spine. It does not usually cause pain until a bone is fractured, and for this reason, it is often referred to as a ‘silent disease.’ When the bones of the spine (vertebrae) are repeatedly fractured over time, this can lead to the stooped posture that is commonly seen in people with advanced osteoporosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the small joints of the wrists, hands, and feet. These joints become painful and swollen, making them more difficult to use and sometimes leading to permanent deformity.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can come and go. When they suddenly become very severe, this is known as a flare-up. Other symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, fatigue, and weight loss.
Causes of Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Both osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are more common in women than men. However, the underlying causes of these two conditions are very different.
Bone mineral density decreases naturally with age, but in extreme cases too much bone is lost too fast, leading to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women as female hormones play an important role in maintaining bone mineral density. For this reason, this condition is more likely to occur in post-menopausal women, especially those who go through menopause before the age of 45.
Other risk factors for osteoporosis include genetics, being underweight, drinking alcohol, smoking, and certain medications and conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system begins to attack its own tissues, in this case, the joints. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unclear, but it is thought to be partially influenced by genetics.
Unlike osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of any age, but it most often develops in people aged 40–60 years. It is also more common in smokers.
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis often goes undiagnosed until a fracture occurs. However, a diagnosis can easily be made using a special scan known as a DEXA scan which measures bone mineral density.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is more difficult to identify as there are many other conditions which cause similar symptoms. Blood tests can be used to check for the presence of certain antibodies and inflammatory markers, and x-rays or MRI scans can be used to look more closely at the affected joints.
Treatment of Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
The treatment of these two conditions is also very different. Osteoporosis can be treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements, a medication known as bisphosphonates which slow the deterioration of the bones, or drugs that influence hormonal balance.
It is important that people with osteoporosis take measures to avoid falls and accidents. This could include removing hazards from their homes or having regular sight and hearing tests.
Exercise is also essential as it strengthens the muscles, reducing the risk of fractures. People with osteoporosis may also be advised to eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D containing foods. These include dairy products, leafy greens, oily fish such as sardines and mackerel, and egg yolks.
There are two aims in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly, the immune system should be regulated, and this can be done with drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological drugs. Secondly, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to manage the symptoms of the condition. Some anti-inflammatory medications commonly prescribed include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and corticosteroids, like prednisolone.
Like osteoporosis, exercise is important for rheumatoid arthritis, and many people find physical therapy helpful. Surgery may be an option in severe cases.
What Is the Link Between Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
It is estimated that people with rheumatoid arthritis are 25–30 percent more likely to develop osteoporosis than the general population.
This could be due to a combination of the side effects of corticosteroid drugs which include reducing bone density and a lack of mobility. It is also thought that the two conditions could be more directly linked as osteoporosis often develops in the bones closest to arthritic joints.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are concerned about osteoporosis, ask your physician to arrange a scan.
Osteoporosis na rheumatoid arthritis ni hali mbili tofauti sana, na idadi ya kushangaza ya kufanana. Vyote viwili vinaweza kuathiri wanawake kuliko wanaume, na vyote viwili vinaweza kusababisha dalili kama vile maumivu na kasoro. Kwa kuongezea, watu walio na ugonjwa wa nyundo za uti wa mgongo waweza kuwa na hatari kubwa zaidi ya kupatwa na ugonjwa wa mifupa baadaye maishani. Hii ni kwa sababu ya mchanganyiko wa dawa, ukosefu wa mwendo, na labda hata kama matokeo ya moja kwa moja ya ugonjwa. Tofauti tano kati ya Osteoporosis na Rheumatoid Arthritis Hebu tuangalie kwa karibu baadhi ya tofauti kuu kati ya osteoporosis na rheumatoid arthritis, na jinsi hali hizi mbili zinaweza kuhusiana. Mifupa dhidi ya. Tofauti kuu kati ya ugonjwa wa osteoporosis na ugonjwa wa rheumatoid arthritis ni kwamba ugonjwa wa osteoporosis huathiri mifupa, wakati ugonjwa wa rheumatoid arthritis huathiri viungo. Mifupa hufanyizwa kwa mchanganyiko wa nyuzi za kolageni na madini kama vile kalsiamu. Madini hayo huandaa muundo na nguvu kwa mifupa, na hivyo kuwezesha mifupa kuhimili uzito wa mwili wetu. Katika ugonjwa wa mifupa, kiasi cha madini hayo hupungua na mifupa inakuwa dhaifu, dhaifu, na kama sifongo. Hilo huongeza hatari ya kuvunjika kwa mifupa iliyoathiriwa. Viungo ni sehemu ya mwili ambapo mifupa miwili hukutana na hivyo huwezesha mwili kusonga kwa uhuru. Katika viungo, ncha za mifupa zimefunikwa na kitu kinachoitwa cartilage na kuzungukwa na kifuniko kinachoitwa synovium. Synovium hutokeza kioevu cha synovial, ambacho hutiwa mafuta mifupa na kuizuia isiwe na msuguano wakati tunapotembea. Katika ugonjwa wa arthritis ya rheumatoid, synovium huwaka moto na kusababisha maumivu, ugumu, na uvimbe. Dalili za Osteoporosis na Rheumatoid Arthritis Ingawa dalili za osteoporosis na rheumatoid arthritis zinafanana, kuna tofauti kadhaa muhimu pia. Mara nyingi ugonjwa wa mifupa huathiri mifupa ya viwiko vya mikono, viuno, na uti wa mgongo. Kwa kawaida ugonjwa huo hausababishi maumivu hadi mfupa unapovunjika, na kwa sababu hiyo mara nyingi huitwa "ugonjwa wa kimya" - wakati mifupa ya uti wa mgongo (vertebrae) inapovunjika mara kwa mara kwa muda, hii inaweza kusababisha msimamo wa kushuka ambao huonekana kwa kawaida kwa watu wenye osteoporosis ya hali ya juu. Mara nyingi ugonjwa wa nyuzinyuzi huathiri viungo vidogo vya mikono, mikono, na miguu. Maungo hayo huwa na maumivu na kuvimba, na hivyo kuwa vigumu kutumia, na nyakati nyingine kusababisha kasoro za kudumu. Dalili za ugonjwa wa viungo vya mwili wa rheumatoid zinaweza kutokea na kutoweka. Wakati wao ghafula kuwa kali sana, hii inajulikana kama flare-up. Dalili nyingine zinazohusiana na ugonjwa wa viungo vya mgongo ni pamoja na ugonjwa wa carpal tunnel syndrome, upungufu wa damu, uchovu, na kupoteza uzito. Vifo vya Osteoporosis na Rheumatoid Arthritis ni viwili vya kawaida kwa wanawake kuliko wanaume. Hata hivyo, visababishi vya hali hizo mbili ni tofauti sana. Kiasi cha madini ya mifupa hupungua kwa kawaida na umri, lakini katika visa vikali mifupa mingi hupoteza haraka sana, na kusababisha osteoporosis. Osteoporosis ni ya kawaida zaidi kwa wanawake kama homoni za kike kucheza jukumu muhimu katika kudumisha mfupa mineral wiani. Kwa sababu hii, hali hii ni uwezekano mkubwa kutokea kwa wanawake baada ya menopause, hasa wale ambao hupita kupitia menopause kabla ya umri wa miaka 45. Mambo mengine yanayoweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa mifupa ni chembe za urithi, uzito mdogo, kunywa kileo, kuvuta sigareti, na kutumia dawa fulani na hali fulani. Rheumatoid arthritis ni ugonjwa wa autoimmune, ambayo inamaanisha mfumo wa kinga wa mwili huanza kushambulia tishu zake mwenyewe, katika kesi hii, viungo. Sababu halisi ya ugonjwa wa viungo vya mgongo haijulikani, lakini inaaminika kwamba kwa sehemu huathiriwa na chembe za urithi. Tofauti na osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis inaweza kuathiri watu wa umri wowote, lakini mara nyingi huibuka kwa watu wenye umri wa miaka 40-60. Pia ni ya kawaida zaidi kwa wavutaji sigareti. Ugonjwa wa Osteoporosis na Rheumatoid Arthritis Mara nyingi ugonjwa wa osteoporosis hauwezi kugunduliwa mpaka mfupa uharibike. Hata hivyo, ugonjwa huo unaweza kugunduliwa kwa urahisi kwa kutumia uchunguzi wa pekee unaoitwa DEXA, ambao hupima unene wa madini ya mifupa. Kwa upande mwingine, ugonjwa wa arthritis ni mgumu zaidi kutambua kwa kuwa kuna hali nyingine nyingi zinazosababisha dalili kama hizo. Uchunguzi wa damu unaweza kutumika kuangalia uwepo wa baadhi ya kingamwili na alama za uvimbe, na X-ray au MRI inaweza kutumika kuangalia kwa karibu zaidi kwenye viungo walioathirika. Matibabu ya Osteoporosis na Rheumatoid Arthritis Matibabu ya hali hizi mbili pia ni tofauti sana. Osteoporosis inaweza kutibiwa na virutubisho vya kalsiamu na vitamini D, dawa inayojulikana kama bisphosphonates ambayo hupunguza uharibifu wa mifupa, au dawa ambazo huathiri usawa wa homoni. Ni muhimu kwamba watu wenye osteoporosis wachukue hatua za kuepuka kuanguka na aksidenti. Hii inaweza kujumuisha kuondoa hatari kutoka kwa nyumba zao au kuwa na vipimo vya kawaida vya kuona na kusikia. Mazoezi ya mwili ni muhimu pia kwa sababu huimarisha misuli, na hivyo kupunguza hatari ya kuvunjika. Watu wenye ugonjwa wa mifupa wanaweza pia kushauriwa kula vyakula vyenye kiasi kikubwa cha kalsiamu na vitamini D. Hizi zinatia ndani bidhaa za maziwa, mboga zenye majani, samaki wenye mafuta kama vile sardini na makelele, na manjano ya mayai. Kuna miradi miwili katika kutibu ugonjwa wa viungo vya mwili. "Kwanza, mfumo wa kinga unapaswa kudhibitiwa, na hii inaweza kufanywa na dawa zinazojulikana kama ""disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs"" (DMARDs) na dawa za kibiolojia." Pili, dawa za kupunguza maumivu na dawa za kuzuia uvimbe zaweza kutumiwa kudhibiti dalili za ugonjwa huo. Dawa za kuzuia uvimbe (NSAIDs) ni pamoja na dawa za kuzuia uvimbe zisizo za steroid (NSAIDs) kama ibuprofen na corticosteroids kama prednisolone. Kama vile ugonjwa wa mifupa, mazoezi ya mwili ni muhimu kwa ugonjwa wa viungo vya mwili, na watu wengi hupata tiba ya kimwili kuwa yenye kusaidia. Upasuaji waweza kuwa chaguo katika visa vikali. Kuna Uhusiano Gani Kati ya Osteoporosis na Arthritis ya Rheumatoid? Watu wenye ugonjwa wa rheumatoid arthritis wana uwezekano wa asilimia 25 hadi 30 zaidi ya kuugua ugonjwa wa mifupa kuliko watu wengine. Hii inaweza kuwa kutokana na mchanganyiko wa athari za upande wa dawa za corticosteroid ambazo ni pamoja na kupunguza wiani wa mifupa na ukosefu wa mwendo. Pia, inadhaniwa kwamba hali hizo mbili zinaweza kuunganishwa moja kwa moja kwa sababu ugonjwa wa mifupa mara nyingi hutokea katika mifupa iliyo karibu zaidi na viungo vya arthritis. Ikiwa una ugonjwa wa arthritis na una wasiwasi kuhusu osteoporosis, mwambie daktari wako kupanga uchunguzi.