By Angelica Bottaro Published on April 27, 2022
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both autoimmune diseases that develop in similar ways.1 An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign pathogens and attacks them. While MS and RA can appear similar, the two have distinct differences.
MS targets the brain and spinal cord, attacking the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating found on nerves. RA mainly targets the cartilage in the joints. In some cases, the two diseases can occur simultaneously, which causes confusion in diagnosis and treatment.1
This article discusses the similarities and differences between MS and RA, as well as the diagnostic tools used to determine whether a person has MS, RA, or both.
Similarities
Both MS and RA have similar disease progression and are often considered the most disabling autoimmune diseases. Similarities between the two diseases include:1
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Consequences: In both RA and MS, the process of damage is caused by chronic inflammation that develops because of an overactive immune system.
Tissue damage: The damage done to the tissues in both RA and MS causes a person to experience motor dysfunction in muscles, affecting walking and running.
Symptoms: Some symptoms of MS and RA are similar, such as fatigue and weakness. Over time, both diseases also cause problems with mobility in different ways.
Treatment: The treatments developed for both diseases are similar and often include medications to reduce inflammation and to suppress the immune system so that it can’t cause further damage.
Genetic background: Many people with either RA or MS share genetic factors that may be linked to the development of the diseases.
Autoantibodies: Antibodies are types of proteins that are designed to help the immune system find and destroy pathogens. Autoantibodies are similar, in the sense that they target and kill cells. However, they are produced by the immune system and then target the body’s own healthy proteins or cells.
Progression: Both RA and MS are progressive diseases, meaning they get worse over time. However, with the treatments available, progression usually only occurs if untreated or undertreated.
Because of the similarities between the two diseases, they are sometimes referred to as “siblings.”2
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