Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis is manifested by performing a series of tests and adjustments of a patient to the criteria established as rheumatoid arthritis, achieved something like a spectrum.

RA diagnosis: Blood tests

If a patient suspects that may have RA, a series of blood tests ordered by the order in which different variables, a weakened immune system, the presence of certain antibodies and to isolate other diseases can cause the patient to produce the RA will be able to show how similar symptoms.

A test was conducted to test an antibody called rheumatoid factor, or RF. A high rheumatoid factor can be found in many types of autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Approximately 80% were positive for RF, but negative test results do not exclude the possibility of RA, but only identified in a kind of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative.

Testing for RF is only part of the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in up to 1 in 10 healthy individuals showed high rheumatoid factor.
As RA progresses, it is customary that the patient began the test and then positive for RF.

More specifically, the tests developed since the inspection of specific antibodies than the signs of RA. The new test is more sensitive and specific. The tests commonly used to exclude other possible causes of osteoarthritis.

Diagnostic criteria for RA

Recently new diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis Arthritis is common in force through professional agencies in Europe and America are at risk.
RA diagnosis was established by the patient on a scale of 1-10. 6 or greater is a diagnosis of RA identified.

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