Rheumatoid Arthritis
Alternate Names : RA
How is the disease diagnosed?
Observing the person and his or her pattern of symptoms,
along with a medical history and physical exam, helps the doctor to diagnose
RA. A blood test for the rheumatoid factor
is positive in about 80% of cases but does not mean the person has RA.
Other blood tests, such as a complete blood count, called CBC;
C4 complement components; C-reactive proteins, called CRP; and antinuclear
antibody, called ANA; tests may be done. People with RA are often anemic and
have a low number of red blood cells in their blood count.
Joint aspiration,
which means removing joint fluid with a needle under
local anesthesia,
might be done. Synovial fluid that is cloudy, milky, or dark yellow
and that contains many inflammatory cells will help detect RA.
Joint X-rays
may also be ordered to help diagnose RA. It is important to
rule out other diseases and conditions, such as other types of arthritis, as well
as condition such as systemic lupus erythematosus
and Lyme disease.
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