Description

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. This can be caused by multiple reasons. The specific type of arthritis determines and directs the treatment that is most effective. The more common causes are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It can also be caused by uric acid deposition in the joints. Viral causes are frequently self-limiting. Some joint pain is actually caused by the surrounding muscle inflammation. Checking a muscle enzyme is helpful for that purpose. It is also helpful to rule out other endocrine causes for joint pain, as well as Sjogren's syndrome. This panel is much more comprehensive and will aid your provider with treatment.

This panel includes the following test:

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Screen with Reflex to Titer and Pattern Test

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

CCP Antibodies

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Creatine Kinase (CPK)

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Intact with Calcium

Parvovirus IgG and IgM Antibodies

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Factor

Sedimentation Rate

Sjogren's Anti SS-A and SS-B

Uric Acid

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

An "Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Screen with Reflex to Titer and Pattern Test" is used to help diagnose autoimmune diseases, like lupus arthritis, by detecting the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood, which can indicate the body's immune system is attacking its own tissues; if the initial screen is positive, further testing is done to determine the exact level (titer) and pattern of these antibodies to better identify the specific autoimmune condition involved.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is used in arthritis diagnosis, particularly for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, as a marker of systemic inflammation in the body, helping doctors assess the severity of the inflammatory process within the joints and monitor treatment effectiveness by tracking changes in CRP levels; a high CRP level indicates significant inflammation present.

CCP antibodies, also known as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, are used primarily to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as their presence in the blood is strongly associated with the disease, often appearing even before symptoms develop, allowing for early detection; they can also be used to assess the severity of RA and predict its progression.

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential and platelets is often used in the diagnosis and monitoring of arthritis to assess the level of inflammation in the body by looking at the number and types of white blood cells (WBCs), which can be elevated in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), potentially indicating disease activity; additionally, it can check for anemia (low red blood cell count), which can sometimes be a complication of arthritis medication or the disease itself.

A Creatine Kinase (CPK) test is used in arthritis diagnosis to assess muscle damage, particularly in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis where muscle weakness and inflammation can occur, as elevated CPK levels indicate muscle breakdown and can help monitor disease activity and treatment effectiveness; low CPK levels in some cases may also be associated with chronic inflammatory arthritis, reflecting muscle wasting due to the disease. Muscle soreness can be confused with joint pain.

 

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) intact with calcium blood test measures the amount of PTH in your blood along with your calcium levels. Joint pain is a symptom of hyperparathyroidism and can be confused with arthritis.

Parvovirus IgG and IgM antibodies are used to determine if someone has been exposed to parvovirus B19 and whether they have a current infection, which can be relevant to diagnosing arthritis, as parvovirus can sometimes cause joint pain and inflammation, particularly in adults where it might manifest as a form of arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis; a positive IgM indicates a recent infection while a positive IgG indicates past exposure to the virus. Anterior knee pain is a very common symptom in adults as it causes inflammation in the lining of the joints

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Factor – Rheumatoid factor is used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The test may also help diagnose an arthritis-related condition, Sjogren's Syndrome. About 80% to 90% of patients with this syndrome have high amounts of RA in their blood.

 

Sedimentation Rate – a blood test used to screen for inflammation, cancer, and infection. A high sedimentation rate is found in wide varieties of inflammatory, infectious, and malignant diseases – the presence of an abnormality that needs further evaluation.

Sjogren's Anti SS-A and SS-B blood test detects antibodies that can help identify the presence of Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune conditions. Joint pain is a common symptom associated with Sjögren's syndrome

Uric acid, when present in excessive amounts, is the primary cause of "gouty arthritis," a form of inflammatory arthritis where high uric acid levels in the blood crystallize within joints, leading to severe pain, swelling, and redness, typically affecting the big toe or other lower limb joints; essentially, the purpose of uric acid in this context is to trigger a painful inflammatory response when it builds up in the joints and forms crystals.