What condition is characterized by bilateral pain and stiffness in multiple joints?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the joints and is characterized by bilateral pain and stiffness in multiple joints. This autoimmune condition typically leads to symmetrical joint involvement, meaning if one knee or hand is affected, the corresponding knee or hand on the opposite side of the body is likely to be affected as well. Patients often experience morning stiffness that lasts for more than one hour and may have fatigue and systemic symptoms as the disease progresses.

The bilateral nature of the pain and stiffness is a distinguishing feature of rheumatoid arthritis, differentiating it from other conditions that may present with joint pain. In osteoarthritis, while it can affect multiple joints, it commonly presents on a unilateral basis and does not usually cause the same degree of stiffness, especially in the morning. Progressive systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin and internal organs rather than causing predominant joint stiffness and pain. Gout, on the other hand, usually presents as unilateral joint swelling and pain, often in the big toe, and is characterized by episodes rather than chronic bilateral joint involvement. Therefore, the defining symptoms of bilateral pain and stiffness across multiple joints clearly align with rheumatoid arthritis.