A non-specific type of arthritis in which 5 or more joints are affected is called polyarthritis. In general, there are multiple disorders that can cause it, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and others. You should see a doctor if you experience pain, stiffness, or swelling in multiple joints.
In other words, this is not a type of arthritis, and the medical term polyarthritis means the arthritis that you have affects multiple joints. Sometimes, polyarthritis may indicate a more severe form of arthritis. Sometimes, this condition is called polyarticular arthritis, polyarthralgia, or polyarthropathy.
Symptoms
Usually, people with polyarthritis experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
- Discoloration or redness around the joints
- Tenderness
- A feeling of warmth or heat around the affected joints
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty putting weight on a joint
- Deformity (in such cases, the affected joint looks like it is out of place)
When this condition affects both sides of the body (such as the knees), it is called symmetrical polyarthritis. If the symptoms appear in one side of the body or in random joints, doctors call it asymmetrical polyarthritis.
Causes
The medical term “polyarthritis” is not a disease itself, but indicates arthritis that affects multiple joints at the same time. Furthermore, it can occur due to multiple health conditions. For instance, some people develop polyarticular arthritis due to rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. In most cases, polyarthritis does not start with joint disease, but with autoimmune conditions, infections, and other diseases. Check below the most common causes of polyarthritis:
Chronic Arthritis
Generally, there are multiple chronic types of arthritis that can spread to multiple joints over time. Most of them are inflammatory disorders. In some cases, it can occur when a person puts extra stress on the joints throughout their life. Check below some common types of arthritis that often cause polyarthritis:
- Spondyloarthritis
- Pseudogout
- Gout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Autoimmune Disorders
The following conditions happen when the immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy cells. They can also cause polyarthritis. For example:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Vasculitis
- Scleroderma
- Sarcoidosis
- Lupus
Infections
In such cases, polyarthritis is triggered by viral or bacterial infections (such as viral arthritis or reactive arthritis). Check below some examples of conditions that can cause polyarthritis:
- Whipple’s disease
- HIV infection
- Mononucleosis (mono)
- Parvovirus
- Lyme disease
- Viral hepatitis
Risk Factors
Physicians have identified some factors that could increase your risk of developing this condition. These include:
- Strenuous physical exercise (athletes)
- Sex – Females are more likely to develop polyarthritis compared to males.
- Age – People over 50 years old are also more prone to polyarthritis.
- Autoimmune disorders
- Obesity (people with excessive body weight)
What Are The Potential Complications of Polyarthritis?
While it is not common, people with polyarthritis can experience some complications. For example:
- Cardiovascular disease (these conditions also increase the risk of strokes, inflammation in the heart, and are one of the leading causes of death in some types of polyarthritis)
- Problems with the lungs, including long-term (chronic) cough, scarring, breathing problems, pleural effusions, and interstitial lung disease.
- Eye disorders (including scleritis)
- Problems with other organs – This condition can also affect your kidneys, liver, skin, digestive system, and others.
- An increased risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones)
- Infections – People with polyarthritis are at increased risk of developing infections.
- Permanent joint damage
- Neurological problems (including carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Chronic pain
- Mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression, and others)
- Reduced mobility
The previous list does not contain a complete list of polyarthritis complications. However, you can consult with your doctor about measures to reduce the risk of developing them.
In addition, doctors may recommend some tips to reduce the risk of developing polyarthritis. For example, quit smoking, limit or avoid alcoholic beverages, regularly perform physical activity, and wear protective equipment, especially when participating in contact sports. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
Diagnosis
First, doctors perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. Thereafter, they can also ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history to get more clues about your condition. However, to confirm or exclude polyarthritis, physicians often perform the following tests. These include:
- Imaging tests – The following tests are used to get detailed images of different structures and organs in the body. These include X-rays, CT (computerized tomography) scans, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- Joint aspiration – During this test, doctors will insert a small needle into a joint to get a sample of fluid for testing.
- Blood tests – These tests are often done to check for the underlying condition.
Moreover, doctors can also perform additional tests to check for other disorders that cause similar symptoms to polyarthritis. It is also known as differential diagnosis. Some people can have disorders that cause pain near joints and irritate them (referred pain). These conditions include:
- Osteomalacia
- Fibromyalgia
- Thyroid disease
- Connective tissue diseases
- Cancer
Treatment
To make the best treatment plan for your condition, it is important to determine the root cause. While most people get rid of this condition with over-the-counter pain relievers and rest, others may need the following treatments. Check below some treatments often recommended by physicians for people with polyarthritis:
- Medicines – Usually, people with polyarthritis need one of the following medicines. These include antibiotics, antivirals, or DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs).
- Therapeutic injections – These injections often contain steroids and are injected into the joints to ease the pain caused by arthritis.
- Physical therapy – This treatment involves specific exercises that help improve mobility and range of motion in the affected joints.
- Arthroplasty – In severe cases, when damage to the joints is serious, doctors recommend this replacement surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of polyarthritis?
One of the most common causes of this condition is autoimmune disorders and infections. For example, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, an infection caused by the chikungunya virus, and others. However, degenerative conditions and other factors can also cause polyarthritis.
Does polyarthritis go away?
This condition may disappear when you treat the underlying condition (such as an infection). However, if you develop a chronic form of this condition, you may need treatment for the rest of your life. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
What cancers cause polyarthritis?
There are multiple solid tumors (including lung, gastric, colon, breast, ovarian, laryngeal, and pancreatic) that can cause polyarthritis. In such cases, the condition is called carcinomatous polyarthritis. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
