Joint stiffness in the morning is a common symptom of which condition?

Joint stiffness in the morning is most commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is characterized by inflammation in the joints, which often leads to symptoms such as prolonged stiffness, particularly noticeable after periods of inactivity, such as overnight or after sitting for a while. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may experience stiffness that can last for more than 30 minutes upon waking, making it a distinguishing feature of this autoimmune condition.

Osteoarthritis, while it can also cause stiffness, typically results in more brief stiffness that lasts for a shorter duration (often less than 30 minutes) after periods of inactivity. The stiffness in osteoarthritis is more related to wear and tear on the joints rather than inflammation.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness without the joint-specific stiffness seen in inflammatory conditions, and gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness in the joints, particularly after excess uric acid levels lead to crystal formation.

Thus, the correct answer emphasizes that rheumatoid arthritis aligns most closely with the symptom of morning joint stiffness due to its underlying inflammatory nature.