What is the difference between gout and rheumatism?

Gout and rheumatism are both relatively common diseases. The two diseases have certain similar symptoms, which can easily cause confusion for people who don't understand them. In fact, the causes of the two diseases are fundamentally different, and the symptoms will also be different. In addition, the prognosis will be different depending on the disease group. Therefore, when you have similar symptoms, you should go to the hospital for diagnosis and examination in time, and then treat the symptoms.

1. Different definitions

Rheumatism refers to a large group of diseases that affect bones, joints, muscles and surrounding soft tissues, such as bursae, tendons, fascia, blood vessels, nerves, etc., most of which are autoimmune diseases.

Gout refers to a recurrent inflammatory disease caused by the deposition of urate crystals in the synovium, bursae, cartilage and other tissues of the joints.

2. Different causes

Rheumatic disease is mainly related to immune response, and other factors include infection, genetics, endocrine, and environment.

The most direct cause of gout is the metabolic disorder of a substance called purine in the body. The cause of gout is related to gender, eating habits, and genetics.

3. Different symptoms

The joint pain caused by rheumatism is mainly pain in large joints such as the knees, shoulders, and waist, which is obviously related to weather changes. Clinical examination showed high rheumatic indexes and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

The joint pain of gout is more severe and often occurs suddenly in the middle of the night or early in the morning. This condition usually first occurs in the big toe of one foot and has little to do with the climate. Clinical examination showed high blood uric acid concentration.

4. Different susceptible groups

The main populations susceptible to rheumatic diseases include postpartum women, overworked people and the elderly. The majority of the population are female. The incidence rate of disease is as high as 60% for people who work and live in a dark, humid or temperature-variable environment and who are exposed to wind, cold and rain.

The high-risk groups for gout are middle-aged men, obese people, those who consume high-purine foods, alcoholics, and those who have frequent social activities.

5. Different prognosis

Rheumatic diseases include many types of diseases and their pathogenesis is relatively vague, so the prognosis of rheumatic diseases with different symptoms varies. However, most rheumatic diseases require long-term medication to control the condition.

Gout and rheumatism also have a common characteristic, that is, when gout pain or rheumatic pain occurs, patients need to endure the pain for a period of time before it gradually eases. However, rheumatic diseases are closely related to weather changes, and the pain cycle will also change with the weather. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the patient's blood, which is different from rheumatism.