Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

X-rays cannot confirm the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, but they are used to rule out other diseases. X-rays also establish a baseline for comparison as the disease progresses.

X-ray of Rheumatoid Arthritis affecting the hands

The Latex test is used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. This test detects an antibody in the blood called the rheumatoid factor. Rheumatoid factor is present in the blood when the body reacts to inflammation in the synovial membranes. It is not always present at the beginning of the disease, but as the condition progresses, most patients with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for it. The rheumatoid factor is not exclusively a product of rheumatoid arthritis. It is an antibody produced in response to inflammation and other diseases that cause inflammation can also result in an elevated rheumatoid factor. These situations are rare, however, and the Latex test can confirm a preliminary diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

After the diagnosis is made, the physician determines if active inflammation is occurring in the body. This is done by a sedimentation rate test. In this test, blood is drawn and allowed to settle over a period of time. A high, or increasing sedimentation rate in the blood indicates active inflammation. A follow-up test determines if the inflammation is increasing or decreasing and the results determine if treatment is needed.

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