1)Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly known as RA, and lupus is commonly known as SLE.2)RA is frequently associated with bones especially the joints in the fingers and hands. There are numerous diverse forms of lupus.
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints.  Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly known as RA, and lupus is commonly known as SLE. RA is frequently associated with bones especially the joints in the fingers and hands. There are numerous diverse forms of lupus. The most common type of lupus is SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus. The manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus as well include inflammation of the kidneys, loss of appetite, fatigue, and hair loss. Likewise, the origin of rheumatoid arthritis is still not known. The condition can attack the knees, wrists, feet, fingers, and ankle Lupus vs Rheumatoid Arthritis. Both rheumatoid arthritis and lupus arthritis affect the peripheral joints. Both present with pain, swelling, and stiffness, and both arthritis have systemic manifestations. Though they present with similar symptoms, clinically rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are different. You may also be interested in reading: 1. Difference Between Gout and Arthritis. 2. Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis. 3. D ifference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Related posts: 1  Difference Between Gout and Arthritis. 2  Difference Between Cyst and Boil. (August 2012) Although lupus usually occurs alone, many people with lupus sometimes have symptoms characteristic of one or more of the other connective tissue diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, and various forms of vasculitis. The differentiation between someone who has rheumatoid-like arthritis and lupus vs. someone who has rheumatoid arthritis/SLE overlap is either an issue of severity of the findings or more likely a matter of semantics with no significant clinical difference. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease in the world. It is basically a disease which causes weakness and it causes many of the symptoms like joint pain and joint destruction in some cases that one sees in Lupus. Generally patients with Lupus have joint pain all day. In rheumatoid arthritis the joint disease is symmetrical: that means if one knee is involved, the other knee is involved, if one wrist is involved the other wrist is involved. In lupus, joint pain is common. Joint swelling may be present in some cases, but the majority of those with lupus experience joint pain without swelling or only intermittent swelling. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint swelling is always present and pain is common but less prominent.  There are many diseases that overlap with lupus: anti-phospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and Sjoegren’sjögren s. Syndrome there, are, however many other less common autoimmune diseases that can affect lupus patients which it is important to. recognize. 6 The differentiation between someone who has rheumatoid-like arthritis and lupus vs. someone who has rheumatoid arthritis/SLE overlap is either an issue of severity of the findings or more likely a matter of semantics with no significant clinical difference. Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause a wide array of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is a systemic illness and can affect any organ system. While rheumatoid arthritis is commonly thought to be limited to the joints, it can also affect the skin, eyes, heart and lungs. Because both disorders may cause multiple symptoms, diagnosis can sometimes be tricky. Historically, steroids have been the mainstay of therapy for both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain, skin irritation and fatigue due to lupus or RA often improve with steroids. Since steroids can cause numerous side effects, especially when used over the long term, other therapies have been developed. The majority of people have overlooked to recognize the difference between lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. These two conditions are considered autoimmune diseases. This type of disease is caused by the attacks of the immune system on healthy tissues which causes injuries to them. The manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus as well include inflammation of the kidneys, loss of appetite, fatigue, and hair loss. Likewise, the origin of rheumatoid arthritis is still not known. The condition can attack the knees, wrists, feet, fingers, and ankles
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/tc/comparing-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-osteoarthritis-topic-overview http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/disease-health/difference-between-lupus-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-lupus-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://www.lupus.org/resources/15-questions-lupus-and-overlap-disease-syndromes http://arthritis.about.com/video/How-to-Tell-Rheumatoid-Arthritis-From-Lupus.htm http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lupus-or-rheumatoid-arthritis.html http://www.lupus.org/resources/15-questions-lupus-and-overlap-disease-syndromes http://www.livestrong.com/article/26158-symptoms-lupus-vs.-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/disease-health/difference-between-lupus-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/
difference between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus