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Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis


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A diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically comes from a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in detection and treatment of RA. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist will take into account your pattern of symptoms, your medical history, x-rays, lab tests, and physical exam results.

  • During your physical exam, your rheumatologist will look at swollen and tender joints to determine whether you may be at risk for further joint damage.
  • Rheumatologists often conduct a lab test to screen for “rheumatoid factor,” an antibody found in the blood of approximately 80% of people with RA.
  • Once you’ve received a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, it’s important to start treating it as soon as possible because RA gets worse as time passes.

The Importance of Treating Your RA Early

Within the first few years of diagnosis, many rheumatoid arthritis patients find their activity levels dramatically reduced. And it’s typically during the early years that the joint damage begins and the disease progresses rapidly. It is therefore important to begin a treatment plan as early as possible. Though RA is a chronic condition, earlier treatment with advanced therapies, like REMICADE, can change the course of RA by helping to stop further joint damage in patients with moderate to severe RA.
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Last Updated: December 18, 2008