Which of the following statements about osteoarthritis is correct?
A.
It is an autoimmune disorder.
B.
It is characterized by joint inflammation and swelling.
C.
It commonly affects the distal finger joints.
D.
It primarily involves the synovial joints.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. It commonly affects the distal finger joints.
Explanation:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common form of arthritis characterized by the degeneration of cartilage and changes in the underlying bone. This leads to joint pain and stiffness. Here’s a detailed look at why option C is the correct answer:
A. It is an autoimmune disorder.
This statement is incorrect. Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are examples of autoimmune disorders, but osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative joint disease, not an autoimmune one.
B. It is characterized by joint inflammation and swelling.
While OA can involve some inflammation, it is not primarily characterized by joint inflammation. This statement more accurately describes rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory type of arthritis. In osteoarthritis, the primary issue is the breakdown of cartilage rather than inflammation. Joint swelling may occur, but it is not as prominent as in inflammatory arthritis.
C. It commonly affects the distal finger joints.
This is correct. Osteoarthritis often affects the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers, which are the joints closest to the fingertips. This is in contrast to rheumatoid arthritis, which more commonly affects the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. OA can also affect other joints like the knees, hips, and spine, but the involvement of distal finger joints is a notable feature of osteoarthritis.
D. It primarily involves the synovial joints.
This statement is partially correct but not as specific as option C. Osteoarthritis does primarily affect synovial joints, which are the most common type of joint in the body. However, the term “synovial joints” is too broad and does not capture the specific characteristic of osteoarthritis affecting the distal finger joints.
In summary, osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the distal finger joints, making option C the most accurate statement.