Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis for Better Patient Care
In the world of clinical diagnostics, accurately identifying chronic conditions is crucial for both patient and physicians. Dr. Maria Salinas, leading the clinical laboratory at San Juan University Hospital in Alicante, Spain, is dedicated to uncovering on of these “hidden diseases” through advanced technology that helps doctors make better decisions.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of a common autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide. Early detection and treatment are key to improving patient outcomes. However, diagnosing RA is challenging because it requires a thorough evaluation including physical exams, inflammatory markers, and medical laboratory autoimmune antibodies tests.
RA is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis specifically targets the lining of joints, leading to painful swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformity. The inflammation from this condition can also affect other parts of the body. Although there are now better medications available for treatment, severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis can still result in physical disabilities.
Dr. Amy Kehl, a respected rheumatologist in Los Angeles, stresses the importance of a comprehensive assessment for patients with joint pain and swelling. While traditional tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) help track disease progression, the definitive diagnosis of RA relies on specific autoimmune antibodies – rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody.
Despite RF testing being common in primary care settings, its lack of specificity for RA can lead to unnecessary referrals and anxiety for patients. On the other hand, the anti-CCP antibody test provides more accurate results with fewer false positives, aiding in early disease detection and timely treatment.
Dr. Salinas worked with rheumatologists and primary care clinicians to develop a streamlined approach for RA diagnosis using reflex testing for anti-CCP antibodies after positive RF results. This approach reduced unnecessary tests, referrals, and missed diagnoses.
To address this need, Salinas worked with rheumatologists and primary care clinicians to develop an algorithm that called for reflex testing of samples from patients with positive RF results (> 30 IU/mL) for anti-CCP antibodies. If the anti-CCP antibody result was > 40 IU/mL, a comment in the lab report suggested rheumatology referral. The lab turned down requests to test sample for RF if the patient had a negative result in the previous 12 months — but it would perform the test if the clinician repeated the request. The results were encouraging, Salinas said. “The main result in this study was that we really identified more hidden cases of patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” she said.
By using advanced diagnostic tools and collaborative approaches, healthcare professionals can navigate diagnostic challenges more effectively, ultimately leading to better patient care outcomes in managing rheumatoid arthritis.
As previously mentioned, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to long-term damage to joints and skeletal structures, accompanied by physical and mobility disabilities. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis can have a significant impact on preventing long-term damage and maintaining normal joint function. Our colleagues at Payvand Clinical and Specialty Laboratory are available for your questions and guidance in this regard at phone number 71400004 or through our online platforms. Additionally, if you wish to have tests done through in-home sampling, all stages of admission medical diagnostic laboratory tests at Payvand Laboratory can be done online by sending a request through our website. It is worth mentioning that there is no need for in-person visits to receive test results, as the results are available in the online section; see my result at our website.