What autoimmune condition is characterized by joint inflammation and stiffness?

Rheumatoid arthritis is the autoimmune condition characterized by joint inflammation and stiffness. This condition is marked by the immune system mistakenly attacking the synovium, the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This leads to chronic inflammation in the affected joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and ultimately can lead to joint damage and loss of function if untreated.

Symptoms typically include morning stiffness that lasts for more than an hour, which is a key indicator of rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammation can also affect other systems in the body, contributing to numerous systemic effects beyond just the joints. The autoimmune nature of rheumatoid arthritis distinguishes it from other joint conditions, which may not involve autoimmune mechanisms.

Other options, while related to joint or musculoskeletal issues, do not share the same autoimmune characteristics or symptom profile. Osteoarthritis, for instance, is primarily a degenerative joint disease rather than an autoimmune condition. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and fatigue rather than specific joint inflammation, and while lupus can involve joint symptoms, it is a systemic autoimmune disease with a broader array of manifestations beyond just joint issues. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis is the most accurate choice to describe a condition predominantly defined by joint inflammation and stiffness.