Not necessarily, although morning stiffness is often considered to be rheumatoid arthritis, it can also be associated with a variety of conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, carpal tunnel syndrome and myofibrillar tissue inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis may take longer to develop morning stiffness compared to other diseases. A blood test for rheumatoid factor at the hospital, combined with a variety of imaging findings, can often make the distinction.