Final answer:
Inflammatory joint diseases like RA involve autoimmune responses and systemic inflammation, diagnosed by blood markers and imaging. Non-inflammatory joint diseases stem from cartilage wear and are diagnosed by localized symptoms and imaging, without systemic inflammation markers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint diseases are differentiated by their underlying mechanisms, presentations, and diagnostic findings. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease characterized by an autoimmune response that leads to inflammation in the synovial joints. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, typically in a symmetrical pattern, and can lead to joint deformity. This disease predominantly affects the hands, feet, and cervical spine. Diagnosis of RA involves identifying elevated blood markers such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Medical imaging such as x-ray, MRI, and arthrography can reveal joint damage and cartilage degeneration.
In contrast, non-inflammatory joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, result from wear and tear of the joint or trauma leading to articular cartilage damage without systemic inflammation. Diagnosis typically focuses on the localized symptoms and imaging findings showing joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and absence of significant inflammatory blood markers. Treatments differ between the two types of arthritis, with anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used for RA and pain management and physical therapy more common for non-inflammatory joint diseases.