Which is the most common form of arthritis?

Which is the most common form of arthritis?

• A. Rheumatoid Arthritis
• B. Psoriatic arthritis
• C. Gout
• D. Osteoarthritis

Answer: (D)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis because it’s primarily a degenerative, age-related wear-and-tear condition that affects a large portion of the population as they get older. It tends to involve weight-bearing and commonly used joints like the knees, hips, spine, and hands. The pain comes with use, and stiffness is usually brief after rest. Since cartilage wear increases with age and joint use, OA becomes far more prevalent than inflammatory types, making it the usual arthritis doctors see in everyday practice. Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune and tends to cause symmetric joint inflammation with longer morning stiffness, but it is far less common overall. Gout results from urate crystal deposition, causing episodic, intensely painful attacks often starting in the big toe, and while important, it is not as prevalent as OA. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis and, though significant, is less common than OA.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis because it’s primarily a degenerative, age-related wear-and-tear condition that affects a large portion of the population as they get older. It tends to involve weight-bearing and commonly used joints like the knees, hips, spine, and hands. The pain comes with use, and stiffness is usually brief after rest. Since cartilage wear increases with age and joint use, OA becomes far more prevalent than inflammatory types, making it the usual arthritis doctors see in everyday practice.

Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune and tends to cause symmetric joint inflammation with longer morning stiffness, but it is far less common overall. Gout results from urate crystal deposition, causing episodic, intensely painful attacks often starting in the big toe, and while important, it is not as prevalent as OA. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis and, though significant, is less common than OA.