| Feature | Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| Primary joints affected | Metacarpophalangeal | Distal interphalangeal |
| Proximal interphalangeal | Carpometacarpal | |
| Heberden's nodes | Absent | Frequently present |
| Joint characteristics | Soft, warm, and tender | Hard and bony |
| Stiffness | Worse after resting (eg, morning stiffness) | If present, worse after effort, may be described as evening stiffness |
| Laboratory findings | Positive rheumatoid factor | Rheumatoid factor-negative |
| Positive anti-CCP antibody | Anti-CCP antibody-negative | |
| Elevated ESR and CRP | Normal ESR and CRP |
