What is considered a systemic cause of joint pain?

A systemic cause of joint pain typically refers to conditions that affect the whole body rather than isolated joints. Systemic diseases often involve immune response mechanisms and can manifest in various ways throughout the body, including inflammation of the joints.

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems in the body, including the joints. It is characterized by chronic inflammation and can lead to joint pain and stiffness as part of its systemic effects. Because it involves the immune system and can impact various organs and systems, lupus represents a true systemic cause of joint pain.

In contrast, gout, osteoarthritis, and spondylosis are generally considered more localized conditions. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of urate crystals, primarily affecting specific joints, usually starting with the big toe. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that mainly arises from wear and tear on joints, while spondylosis primarily affects the spine and is due to age-related degeneration. Neither of these conditions displays the systemic involvement characteristic of lupus.