Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeasurementsBefore the TestDuring the TestAfter the TestInterpreting Results
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Measurements
Before the Test
During the Test
After the Test
Interpreting Results
The Vectra DA is a blood test used to measure disease activity in people already diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).It is NOT used to diagnose RA.
In addition to tracking disease activity, Vectra DA may “predict flare and sustained remission in patients discontinuing treatment, as well as treatment response to biologic and non-biologic therapies,” according to research presented at the 2016 annual meeting of EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism).
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What Does the Vectra Test Measure?
Your healthcare provider may order a Vectra DA test for you:
The Vectra DA test measures levels of 12 key proteins associated with RA and compiles them into a single score between one and 100.
This test is particularly helpful if both the CRP and ESR are normal. If the CRP is elevated, the test typically gives a high result.
What blood test results show rheumatoid arthritis?Some of the laboratory tests that may be used to identify rheumatoid arthritis include:Rheumatoid factor (RF)Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)
What blood test results show rheumatoid arthritis?
Some of the laboratory tests that may be used to identify rheumatoid arthritis include:Rheumatoid factor (RF)Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)
Some of the laboratory tests that may be used to identify rheumatoid arthritis include:
What Are the 12 Biomarkers in the Vectra Test?
The Vectra DA test is more accurate than tests that only measure two inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP). It provides an accurate, reproducible score and an objective measure of RA disease activity that quantifies inflammatory status.
Vectra DA is a useful tool for monitoring the effects of medication on RA progression. In one study, Vectra DA was used to monitor the body’s response to different doses of medication, providing evidence of the drug’s effectiveness.
A study looked at the Vectra scores of people newly diagnosed with RA and the correlation to the progression of joint damage seen on X-rays one year later. Twenty-one percent of people who scored high at baseline had damage one year later, whereas 2.9% of of people with low and moderate scores showed damage.This is another example of how the Vectra DA can be an important tool inrheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Before getting the test, make sure your healthcare provider knows about all medications you’re taking, any current infections, and any recent surgeries, as they may affect your results.
Timing
The blood draw for the Vectra DA test shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. If you’re going to a lab or other facility specifically for the test, it’s wise to call ahead and check on wait times.
Location
Vectra DA testing is typically done at healthcare provider’s offices and medical labs. Your practitioner’s office can tell you where your test will be performed.
What to Wear
Blood will be drawn from your arm, so wear short sleeves or sleeves that can easily be rolled up well past your elbow.
Food and Drink
If you tend to get nauseous when your blood is drawn, you may want to eat bland food or stick to small meals earlier in the day.
Staying hydrated can make a blood draw easier to perform, which can lead to less discomfort for you.
What to Bring
When you arrive for your test, make sure you have:
You may also want to have something to read or occupy your time in case of a long wait.
How Much Does Vectra Cost?
The Vectra DA test costs around $1,000, but there are options for reducing the amount you have to pay.
Check with your insurance company or program to see whether the Vectra DA test is covered and to what extent. Medicare and Medicaid fully cover two Vectra DA tests per year with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Pre-Test
Before the test, you’ll likely be asked to verify your name, date of birth, and possibly other identifying information along with the name of the test you’re getting. This is to help avoid errors.
Let the person drawing your blood know if you have a bleeding disorder or a history of negative reactions so they can take measures to help you.
Throughout the Test
The person drawing your blood will have you roll up your sleeve if necessary. Then they’ll tie an elastic band around your arm to get your veins plump with blood. You may be asked to clench or pump your fist.
Once a suitable vein is identified, they’ll clean the area with rubbing alcohol, insert the needle, and extract a tube of blood. Once enough blood is collected, they’ll withdraw the needle and bandage the site to help prevent further bleeding.
Post-Test
Once the test is over, you’re free to go. If you get dizzy or nauseous, let someone know. They may have you lie down until you feel better.
Most people come through a blood draw with no ill effects. If you have soreness or swelling at the injection site, an over-the-counter pain reliever and/or an ice pack may help.
If you have signs of infection at the injection site (worsening redness, soreness, swelling, or pain) or any other problems after the test, call your healthcare provider.
The facility where your blood was drawn will send the sample to the Crescendo Bioscience lab for analysis. The company says your healthcare provider will receive your results in about a week.
You may be able to access your test result at VectraScore.com, and your healthcare provider may contact you with the results via phone, mail, email, or online patient portal.
Vectra test results will be in the form of a number between 1 and 100.
What Does a Low Vectra Score Mean?
A Vectra score between one and 29 indicates low disease activity. Typically those with persistent low Vectra scores are less likely to develop joint damage and less aggressive treatment may be indicated.
What Does a Moderate Vectra Score Mean?
A Vectra score between 30 and 44 indicates moderate disease activity and inflammation. People with persistently moderate disease activity are less likely to develop joint damage compared to people with high Vectra scores. Typically less aggressive treatment is needed.
What Does a High Vectra Score Mean?
A higher Vectra score (45 to 100) indicates more severe disease progression with early development of joint damage and more frequent flares.
Higher Vectra scores have also been linked with stroke and heart attack in people with RA due to excessive inflammation in the body.
Depending on your test results, your healthcare provider may want you to schedule an appointment to talk about changes in your medications, other treatment options, or your risk of future joint damage.
Summary
The Vectra DA test can help you and your healthcare provider make treatment decisions and give you important information about the course of your rheumatoid arthritis. It’s one of many tools you and your medical team have as you work together to control your disease and maintain your function and quality of life.
6 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.Hirata S, Tang S, Hwang C,et al.FRI0096 predictive value of the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score for flare and sustained remission in The Honor Study.Ann Rheum Dis.2016;75:462. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.3357Segurado OG, Sasso EH.Vectra DA for the objective measurement of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2014;32(5 Suppl 85):S-29-34.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Karnell JL, Albulescu M, Drabic S, et al.A CD40L-targeting protein reduces autoantibodies and improves disease activity in patients with autoimmunity.Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(489):eaar6584. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aar6584Hambardzumyan K, Bolce R, Saevarsdottir S,et al.Pretreatment multi-biomarker disease activity score and radiographic progression in early RA: results from the SWEFOT trial.Ann Rheum Dis2015;74:1102-1109. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204986Liao KP.Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(2):136-140. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.07.006
6 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.Hirata S, Tang S, Hwang C,et al.FRI0096 predictive value of the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score for flare and sustained remission in The Honor Study.Ann Rheum Dis.2016;75:462. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.3357Segurado OG, Sasso EH.Vectra DA for the objective measurement of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2014;32(5 Suppl 85):S-29-34.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Karnell JL, Albulescu M, Drabic S, et al.A CD40L-targeting protein reduces autoantibodies and improves disease activity in patients with autoimmunity.Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(489):eaar6584. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aar6584Hambardzumyan K, Bolce R, Saevarsdottir S,et al.Pretreatment multi-biomarker disease activity score and radiographic progression in early RA: results from the SWEFOT trial.Ann Rheum Dis2015;74:1102-1109. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204986Liao KP.Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(2):136-140. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.07.006
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.
Hirata S, Tang S, Hwang C,et al.FRI0096 predictive value of the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score for flare and sustained remission in The Honor Study.Ann Rheum Dis.2016;75:462. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.3357Segurado OG, Sasso EH.Vectra DA for the objective measurement of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2014;32(5 Suppl 85):S-29-34.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Karnell JL, Albulescu M, Drabic S, et al.A CD40L-targeting protein reduces autoantibodies and improves disease activity in patients with autoimmunity.Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(489):eaar6584. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aar6584Hambardzumyan K, Bolce R, Saevarsdottir S,et al.Pretreatment multi-biomarker disease activity score and radiographic progression in early RA: results from the SWEFOT trial.Ann Rheum Dis2015;74:1102-1109. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204986Liao KP.Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(2):136-140. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.07.006
Hirata S, Tang S, Hwang C,et al.FRI0096 predictive value of the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score for flare and sustained remission in The Honor Study.Ann Rheum Dis.2016;75:462. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.3357
Segurado OG, Sasso EH.Vectra DA for the objective measurement of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2014;32(5 Suppl 85):S-29-34.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Karnell JL, Albulescu M, Drabic S, et al.A CD40L-targeting protein reduces autoantibodies and improves disease activity in patients with autoimmunity.Sci Transl Med. 2019;11(489):eaar6584. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aar6584
Hambardzumyan K, Bolce R, Saevarsdottir S,et al.Pretreatment multi-biomarker disease activity score and radiographic progression in early RA: results from the SWEFOT trial.Ann Rheum Dis2015;74:1102-1109. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204986
Liao KP.Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(2):136-140. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.07.006
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