Can You Have Both an RA & an OA?

Some people contract both RA and OA, but only a small minority.

While most people develop at least mild osteoarthritis (OA) as they age, very few ever experience rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, your chances of getting both reflect mainly the probabilities of contracting RA.

Possible Concurrence

RA and OA emerge from separate processes, neither of which excludes the other. Hence, you can develop both.

RA Versus OA

Despite their separate origins, both RA and OA damage joints.

Whereas RA stems from an attack of your immune system on your own body, OA results from deterioration of the cartilage and bone composing joints, according to the book "Understanding Pathophysiology, Second Edition," by Sue Huether and Kathryn McCance.

Prevalence

More than half of Americans over 65 have X-ray-detectable OA in at least one joint, according to the University of Washington's School of Medicine. Only about one percent of Americans have RA, notes Cure Research.

Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis is largely a condition of growing older.

RA is correlated with gender, three out of four RA sufferers being women, while prevalence rises to 5 percent among persons over 70, according to Huether and McCance. OA increases with age, note the authors.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis afflicts three times more women than men.

Even if you live more than seven decades, your chances of contracting both RA and OA appear no greater than about 5 percent--and less than 2 percent if you are a man.

References

• "Understanding Pathophysiology, Second Edition"; Sue E. Huether and Kathryn L. McCance; 2000
• University of Washington's School of Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis
• CureResearch: Osteoarthritis