What is the difference between an autoimmune disease and an inflammatory rheumatic condition?
Answer:
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriatic arthritis are examples. Other inflammatory rheumatic conditions are not necessarily autoimmune. Gout and CPPD, for example, are inflammatory forms of arthritis caused by crystal deposits in joints. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat both types of conditions.