Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis By Carol Eustice Rheumatoid arthritis is a complicated disease. Successful management of rheumatoid arthritis is tied to early diagnosis and early treatment. It's a common misconception that the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based solely on the results of the rheumatoid factor blood test. While the test does provide one piece of the diagnostic puzzle, much more must be considered. How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?  Rheumatoid arthritis. It's autoimmune. It's inflammatory. It's been called crippling and disabling. What does a doctor require to make the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? READ NOW Seronegative and Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis  The presence of one or both of the autoantibodies, rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP, is referred to as seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. The absence of the two autoantibodies in the peripheral blood is known as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. What's the significance? READ NOW 4 Imaging Studies Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis  Imaging studies may include plain x-rays, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasonography. In rheumatology, imaging studies help establish or confirm the diagnosis, determine the extent of the disease, and monitor structural changes as the disease progresses. READ NOW What Is Synovial Fluid Analysis?  Joint fluid, also referred to as synovial fluid, can be aspirated from a joint using a needle and syringe. The procedure can be performed in a doctor's office and the fluid sent to a laboratory for analysis. The findings may provide important diagnostic clues. READ NOW Which Joints Are Affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis?  Tender and swollen joints are typically among the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis. While many different joints can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, certain joints are characteristically involved. READ NOW Blood Tests for Arthritis  Blood tests are used to help diagnose arthritis, monitor treatment effectiveness, and track disease activity. When considered alone, blood tests are not enough to definitively diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, but they do provide important information that must be considered. READ NOW Advertisement READ THESE NEXT How Well Do You Know the Freudian Defense Mechanisms? How Much Do You Know About Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development? Quiz: Does Your Lifestyle Make You Happy? What Is a Colonoscopy and How Can You Prepare for It? Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Quiz: How Assertive Are You? Are You More of an Extrovert or an Introvert? Debunking Myths: Are Prescription Prenatal Vitamins That Much Better? AN ABOUT.COM BRAND You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Arthritis & Joint Conditions newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 Verywell.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.