There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and many symptoms are similar between different conditions that affect the joints, so it is difficult to diagnose this disease in its different types, and there are tests that help diagnose arthritis, in the series “Check Yourself” we learn about ways to diagnose arthritis Through blood tests, according to the site “” hopkinsmedicine“.
In general, arthritis can be classified into the following groups: degenerative arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, metabolic arthritis, and infectious arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative arthritis) is the most common type, and rheumatoid arthritis and gout are two other more common types.
How do doctors diagnose arthritis?
To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may need:
Review your medical history and current symptoms.
Examine the patient and pay attention to the joints.
Order lab tests, x-rays, and other imaging tests (such as ultrasound or MRI).
Arthrocentesis (removal of fluid from a joint)
What does a review of your medical history and current symptoms of arthritis include?
When reviewing your medical history, your doctor may ask the following questions:
Have you had any illnesses or injuries that might explain the pain?
Is there a family history of arthritis or other rheumatic diseases?
What medications are you currently taking?
Your health care provider may also ask:
What are your symptoms? For example, pain, stiffness, difficulty moving, or swelling.
About your pain:
where is he?
Since when do you suffer from it?
When do you feel pain and how long does it last?
Describe your pain. (steady, springy, stabbing-like in the joints)
– How severe is the pain? (on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 indicates no pain, and 10 indicates the worst pain)
Blood tests for common arthritis
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, the following are common lab tests:
Antinuclear antibodies This test measures levels of various antibodies in the blood, which may be present in people with some types of arthritis.
Arthrocentesis (also called joint fluid aspiration) This is an examination of joint fluid. A thin needle is inserted into the joint. The synovial fluid is removed with a syringe and checked for cell counts, crystal analysis, culture and other tests.
Supplementary exams. This test measures the level of complement group proteins in the blood and is used to help diagnose and monitor systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis.
A complete blood test. It measures the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets present in a blood sample. Low white blood count (leukopenia), low red blood count (anaemia), or low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) are associated with some forms of arthritis or the medications that treat them.
– Creatinine. A blood test to monitor for underlying kidney disease.
C-reactive protein. This protein is elevated when there is inflammation in the body, as in some types of arthritis.
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (also called ESR or sedimentation rate). This measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of the test tube. It also rises when there is inflammation in the body. This occurs in some types of arthritis.
– hematocrit (PCV). It measures the number of red blood cells present in a blood sample. Low levels of red blood cells (anaemia) are common in people with some types of arthritis.
Rheumatoid factor. It checks for an antibody in most people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Urinalysis. Laboratory examination of the urine to check for the presence of kidney disease, which may be associated with several types of arthritis.
Uric acid is elevated in gout.
