Arthritis Test - Rheumatoid Arthritis

CBC and Routine Urine Examination is done. Apart from this the Arthritis Profile test measures the ESR, CCP, CRP, ANA, Uric Acid, ASO, RA levels in the blood.

• To diagnose and assess patients with arthritis.
• To differentiate between rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] and other types of arthritis based on the laboratory test parameters.
• It may also be done in certain autoimmune disorders.

People with the following symptoms:

• Frequent joint pain and stiffness.
• Severe early morning pain and stiffness [mainly in the small joints of hands and feet]
• Visible signs of inflammation in the joints.
• Those with a family history of RA/Arthritis.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. Urine sample will also be collected.

 None

CBC test

Features of chronic anaemia i.e., low haemoglobin and hematocrit are associated with inflammatory conditions causing arthritis.

ESR test

ESR are elevated in inflammatory conditions causing arthritis.

Urine Examination Routine

Presence of glucose, ketones or proteins indicates further tests for gauging impact of associated autoimmune disease on kidneys. 

RA test

RA factor present or positive (high) usually indicates the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it may also be positive in certain other autoimmune disorders like Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disorders, inflammatory lung diseases, and certain cancers. The RA factor test may also be positive in certain healthy individuals especially the elderly population. The absence of RA factor or negative (low) RA factor test is used to rule out RA disease. But, some patients with RA may have negative or low RA factor.

CCP Antibody Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide

Detection of anti-CCP antibodies [Positive Result] is used as an aid in the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and should be used in conjunction with other clinical information.

Antinuclear Antibodies Test

ANAs [Positive Result] indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity & provide, therefore, an indication of autoimmune illness. A positive result, autoantibodies against any one or in some cases simultaneously against more than one antigens may be present and further monospecific tests or panel of profiles can be used to determine the specific

If the test is negative, detectable level of auto antibodies is ruled out.

All weak positive (+) results may be repeated after 6 - 8 weeks.

ASO test

Elevated levels indicate past history of streptococcal infection (rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, glomerulonephritis, etc.).

In the case of monoclonal gammopathies (e.g. WAldenstroms macroglobulinaemia) the measurements yield false highly elevated ASL concentrations in some patients.

CRP-C Reactive Protein

Increased CRP-C Reactive Protein levels may indicate infection, tissue injury, inflammatory disorders and associated diseases. Increase in CRP values are non-Specific and should not be interpreted without a complete history.

Uric Acid Serum Test

High levels of uric acid are associated with numerous renal and metabolic disorders i.e., renal failure, gout, leukaemia, psoriasis, starvation or other wasting conditions and subjects receiving cytotoxic drugs

Low levels of uric acid can be seen in liver disease, Renal tubular absorption defects and over treatment of gout.

• Arthritis Test
• CCP test
• CRP test
• ANA test
• ASO test
• RA test

• Complete blood count (CBC) evaluates cells circulating in blood i.e., red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets which determine general state of heath of an individual. Chronic anaemia is often seen in inflammatory diseases. It is also done to look for acute falls in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in SLE and Sjogren’s syndrome.
• If any abnormality is detected, further tests are recommended.

This test measures the sedimentation rate of red blood cells. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific marker which increases in inflammation, chronic infection, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, menstruation, hypothyroidism.

• This test is done to detect any Renal damage due to the associated autoimmune conditions causing arthritis.

RA test is used to detect the presence or absence of RA factor in the blood. RA factor is usually present in Rheumatoid arthritis or even in certain other autoimmune conditions.

This test is used for the semi-quantitative determination of the IgG class of auto antibodies specific to CCP in biological specimens. This test is more specific than RA test for diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis

• Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are unusual antibodies, detectable in the blood, that have the capability of binding to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. ANAs indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity & provide, therefore, an indication of autoimmune illness.
• The ANA test is a sensitive screening test used to detect autoimmune diseases.

ASO antibodies are specific antibodies to streptococcal metabolites that provides valuable information regarding past streptococcal infection (rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, glomerulonephritis, etc.).

Measurement of CRP is useful for the detection and evaluation of infection, tissue injury, inflammatory disorders and associated diseases. Its level are elevated in autoimmune and chronic diseases.

Uric acid is a breakdown product of purine which is a type of protein required in nucleic acid synthesis. This test is done for diagnosis of gout which can also present as arthritis.