Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStepsBenefits of Early DiagnosisRisks of Undiagnosed RASteps After Diagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Steps
Benefits of Early Diagnosis
Risks of Undiagnosed RA
Steps After Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms often overlap with other conditions, and there is no single definitive test for the disease.Getting a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis often involves a series of tests, including blood tests, imaging studies like X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs), and a thorough physical examination to evaluate joint swelling, tenderness, and overall symptoms, to arrive at an official diagnosis.
Early diagnosis is crucial because it allows for timely intervention and treatment, which can help slow the progression of the disease and minimize joint damage. Early treatment may also significantly improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
Read on to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
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Steps to Getting an RA Diagnosis
Individuals often see their healthcare provider after experiencing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including:
Typically, small joints such as wrists and specific hand and foot joints are the first to be affected. Fatigue is also common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Referral
These medical providers employ various diagnostic tools to confirm the presence of the disease and exclude alternative conditions.
Medical History
This information aids in making an accurate diagnosis and understanding the disease’s impact on the individual’s life.
Physical Examination
Your provider will also typically conduct a physical assessment to:
Blood Testing
Various blood tests are used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, including:
Imaging Tests
Results
It is important to understand that there is no single definitive test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis typically relies on a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history, and various laboratory and imaging tests.
This is because the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can vary from person to person, and they can overlap with symptoms of other conditions, making it challenging to diagnose with just one test.
Rheumatologists typically use a combination of information to arrive at a diagnosis, taking into account factors such as:
Benefits of Early RA Diagnosis
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is crucial because it provides the opportunity for timely and tailored intervention, helping to control inflammation, prevent joint damage, and improve the overall well-being and quality of life for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Additional benefits include:
In addition, early diagnosis helps healthcare providers assess the effectiveness of medications and make adjustments as needed.
Risks of Undiagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis
Without timely diagnosis and treatment, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to progressive joint damage, deformities, and persistent pain, resulting in a diminished quality of life. Untreated rheumatoid arthritis can cause also cause functional impairment and reduced mobility, making daily activities increasingly challenging and may even limit a person’s independence.
Furthermore, undiagnosed RA in people can eventually lead to complications affecting other body systems, including the cardiovascular system, lungs, and prolonged infections from the immune system focusing on attacking the joints instead of fighting infections.
How Old Are People When Diagnosed With RA?
About 70% of people living with rheumatoid arthritis are women, and 55% are over 55 years of age.Signs of rheumatoid arthritis most commonly arise in women between the ages of 30 and 60 years and is rarely seen in men under the age of 55.
After Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis: Next Steps
However, there are also many things you can do to help improve you quality of life following your diagnosis, including:
It is also important to be an active participant in your own care. Take notes at your appointments, and make sure you write down questions and symptoms you experience between appointments.
Summary
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis is a complex process, given the lack of a single, definitive test and because symptoms may overlap with other conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed through clinical evaluation, medical history, and various laboratory and imaging tests.
Early diagnosis is essential for effective rheumatoid arthritis management and improving the patient’s overall quality of life. If you or someone you love is experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider for further guidance.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Monti S, Montecucco C, Bugatti S,et al.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: the earlier the better to prevent joint damage. Open 2015;1:e000057. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000057Arthritis Foundation.Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatologist.Medline Plus.Complete blood count (CBC).Medline Plus.Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test.T.B. Niewold, M.J. Harrison, S.A. Paget,Anti-CCP antibody testing as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in rheumatoid arthritis, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2007, Pages 193–201, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcm015Medline Plus.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).Medline Plus.C-reactive protein (CRP) test.McNally, E.G.Ultrasound of the small joints of the hands and feet: current status.Skeletal Radiol 37, 99–113 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0356-9Østergaard, M., Boesen, M.Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Radiol med 124, 1128–1141 (2019). doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01014-yMedline Plus.Bone scan.Medline Plus.Bone density scan.Albuquerque, C.P., Reis, A.P.M.G., Vargas Santos, A.B. et al.Do it fast! Early access to specialized care improved long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the REAL multicenter observational study. Adv Rheumatol 63, 17 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s42358-023-00301-7.American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients know about rheumatoid arthritis.World Health Organization.Rheumatoid arthritis.American College of Rheumatology.Just diagnosed: Now what?
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Monti S, Montecucco C, Bugatti S,et al.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: the earlier the better to prevent joint damage. Open 2015;1:e000057. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000057Arthritis Foundation.Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatologist.Medline Plus.Complete blood count (CBC).Medline Plus.Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test.T.B. Niewold, M.J. Harrison, S.A. Paget,Anti-CCP antibody testing as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in rheumatoid arthritis, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2007, Pages 193–201, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcm015Medline Plus.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).Medline Plus.C-reactive protein (CRP) test.McNally, E.G.Ultrasound of the small joints of the hands and feet: current status.Skeletal Radiol 37, 99–113 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0356-9Østergaard, M., Boesen, M.Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Radiol med 124, 1128–1141 (2019). doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01014-yMedline Plus.Bone scan.Medline Plus.Bone density scan.Albuquerque, C.P., Reis, A.P.M.G., Vargas Santos, A.B. et al.Do it fast! Early access to specialized care improved long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the REAL multicenter observational study. Adv Rheumatol 63, 17 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s42358-023-00301-7.American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients know about rheumatoid arthritis.World Health Organization.Rheumatoid arthritis.American College of Rheumatology.Just diagnosed: Now what?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Monti S, Montecucco C, Bugatti S,et al.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: the earlier the better to prevent joint damage. Open 2015;1:e000057. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000057Arthritis Foundation.Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more.American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatologist.Medline Plus.Complete blood count (CBC).Medline Plus.Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test.T.B. Niewold, M.J. Harrison, S.A. Paget,Anti-CCP antibody testing as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in rheumatoid arthritis, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2007, Pages 193–201, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcm015Medline Plus.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).Medline Plus.C-reactive protein (CRP) test.McNally, E.G.Ultrasound of the small joints of the hands and feet: current status.Skeletal Radiol 37, 99–113 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0356-9Østergaard, M., Boesen, M.Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Radiol med 124, 1128–1141 (2019). doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01014-yMedline Plus.Bone scan.Medline Plus.Bone density scan.Albuquerque, C.P., Reis, A.P.M.G., Vargas Santos, A.B. et al.Do it fast! Early access to specialized care improved long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the REAL multicenter observational study. Adv Rheumatol 63, 17 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s42358-023-00301-7.American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients know about rheumatoid arthritis.World Health Organization.Rheumatoid arthritis.American College of Rheumatology.Just diagnosed: Now what?
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Monti S, Montecucco C, Bugatti S,et al.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment: the earlier the better to prevent joint damage. Open 2015;1:e000057. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000057
Arthritis Foundation.Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more.
American College of Rheumatology.Rheumatologist.
Medline Plus.Complete blood count (CBC).
Medline Plus.Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test.
T.B. Niewold, M.J. Harrison, S.A. Paget,Anti-CCP antibody testing as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in rheumatoid arthritis, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 100, Issue 4, April 2007, Pages 193–201, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcm015
Medline Plus.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
Medline Plus.C-reactive protein (CRP) test.
McNally, E.G.Ultrasound of the small joints of the hands and feet: current status.Skeletal Radiol 37, 99–113 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0356-9
Østergaard, M., Boesen, M.Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Radiol med 124, 1128–1141 (2019). doi.org/10.1007/s11547-019-01014-y
Medline Plus.Bone scan.
Medline Plus.Bone density scan.
Albuquerque, C.P., Reis, A.P.M.G., Vargas Santos, A.B. et al.Do it fast! Early access to specialized care improved long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the REAL multicenter observational study. Adv Rheumatol 63, 17 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s42358-023-00301-7.
American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients know about rheumatoid arthritis.
World Health Organization.Rheumatoid arthritis.
American College of Rheumatology.Just diagnosed: Now what?
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