Which type of arthritis is characterized as an autoimmune disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized as an autoimmune disease because it occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own joint tissues. This leads to inflammation, pain, and ultimately damage to the joints. In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes that surround the joints.

This condition typically presents symmetrically and can affect multiple joints at once, often involving the hands, feet, wrists, and knees. Besides the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also have systemic effects, potentially affecting other organs in the body due to its autoimmune nature.

Other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout, involve different mechanisms. Osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear of cartilage. Psoriatic arthritis can have both inflammatory and autoimmune components but is primarily associated with psoriasis. Gout, on the other hand, results from the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints and is not classified as an autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is distinct among these options as it specifically involves an autoimmune response, making it the definitive choice for this question.