Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes and Risk Factors
    * Evolution and complications
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment

Diagnosis
Early diagnosis may limit joint destruction.
Rheumatoid arthritis is suspected in patients with inflammation that affects multiple joints in symmetrical fashion.
Diagnosis is established by meeting at least four of the seven criteria established by the American Rheumatism Association. These criteria are: - Morning stiffness that lasts at least an hour to improve - Arthritis, joint areas simultaneously for at least three - Arthritis of hand joints, especially proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints - Affecting bilateral joint areas (for example, both metacarpophalangeal joints) - Rheumatoid factor (RF) positive - Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules - Radiological changes characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis - bone erosion and decalcification
Laboratory analysis showed:
- ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) raised - Increased level of CRP (C reactive protein) - a sign of inflammation - Increasing the number of blood platelets - Waaler-Rose reaction positive - indicating the presence of rheumatoid factor - Antinuclear antibodies are present in 10 -30% of cases - Antibodies antikeratina
Radiography of soft tissue inflammation highlight the first months of disease. Later, the articular cartilage can be detected narrowing and marginal erosions. Erosion often occur in the first year. Joint inflammation and erosion can be detected earlier with MRI.
After the diagnosis of rheumatoid poliatrita, additional tests are necessary to detect complications and other anomalies.