Arthritis Profile

What is Arthritis?

The tenderness and swelling in one or more bones which results in stiffness and especially joint pains are called Arthritis. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. They have different causes and treatment methods. Arthritis occurs mostly in adults above 65 years old. Even kids, teens and younger adults can suffer from Arthritis.

The problem of Arthritis is more dominant in women than in men. Overweight people are more prone to suffer from various kinds of Arthritis. There are several reasons which can cause Arthritis like injury, abnormal metabolism, infections and even by inheritance.There are various types of Arthritis. Most common types of Arthritis are:

– Osteoarthritis 
– Rheumatoid Arthritis 
– Psoriatic Arthritis 
– Fibromyalgia 
– Gout
– Lupus

What are the symptoms of Arthritis?

There are many kinds of Arthritis with different kinds of symptoms but there are some common symptoms of Arthritis. Some of the most common symptoms are as follows:

– Persisting or recurrent fever.
– Swelling of glands
– Weakness and fatigue 
– Sudden loss of weight
– Abnormal functioning of the organs like lungs, heart and kidney
– Pain and stiffness of the joints 

What is Arthritis profile?

The Arthritis profile consists of various blood tests as well as biopsies of tissues and muscles for diagnosing various kinds of Arthritis. Various tests under the Arthritis profile help in the specific determination of the type of Arthritis that you’re suffering from.
The Arthritis profile consists of the following tests:

– Antinuclear Antibody
– Rheumatoid factor
– Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP)
– Uric acid
– HLA tissue typing
-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
– C-reactive protein
– Lyme serology
– Skin biopsy
– Muscle biopsy
– Joint fluid tests

Why did my doctor recommend me to undergo the Arthritis profile?

Your doctor might recommend the Arthritis profile if you have the following conditions:

– If you are experiencing any pain or inflammation of your bones and joints, your doctor might recommend you to undergo the Arthritis Profile for diagnosing if Arthritis is the cause of the pain and swelling.

– In case you are already diagnosed with Arthritis, your doctor might suggest the Arthritis profile for determining the specific type of Arthritis.

– Your health practitioner might want to evaluate if your body is responding to the treatment of Arthritis that you are undergoing already.

What are the tests that come under the Arthritis profile?

The Arthritis profile consists of a series of tests which are used for the diagnosis of the Arthritis and also determine the specific type of Arthritis. The Arthritis profile involves the following tests:

 Antinuclear Antibody: The Antinuclear Antibody Test which is done in the blood is used for the diagnosis of various rheumatic diseases. It can be also used for determining the presence of the autoimmune disease Lupus. This test can be positive in the case of people who are not suffering from any Lupus Disease. The Antinuclear antibody also helps in detecting the presence of polymyositis, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease.

Rheumatoid factor: The Rheumatic diseases are detected by testing the Rheumatic Factor in the blood. The  Rheumatic factor test is used to measure and monitor the levels of the Rheumatoid factor antibodies in the blood of an individual. This test is generally positive in the blood of the individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP): The Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) test is used for measuring and monitoring the levels of the Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in the blood of an individual. The Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are often present in the blood of the person having Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) test is used as a specific test for diagnosing an individual with the Rheumatic Arthritis.

Uric acid: The Uric acid test in the blood helps the doctor diagnose an individual with gout. Gout is the condition which is signified by the crystallization of the excess of uric acid and its deposition in the joints and other tissues. This causes inflammation or swelling of the joints and results in severe pain.

HLA tissue typing: The the HLA tissue typing test is used for detecting the presence of certain specific genetic markers in the blood. The HLA tissue typing method is used for confirming Ankylosing Spondylitic(inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joint) or reactive arthritis(inflammation of the urethra, eyes and joints). The genetic marker which is present in the people with either of the diseases is HLA-B27.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR): The Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is also called “Sed rate”. This test is used for measuring and evaluating the rate of how fast red blood cells cling together and fall or settle in the bottom of a glass tube over the period of one hour or so. The faster the red blood cells cling together or sediment down the tube, the greater is the amount of the inflammation. Some specific kind of infection or anaemia an also cause the elevation in the level of the ESR.

C-reactive protein(CRP): The C-reactive protein is a blood test which is used for measuring body-wide inflammations. CRP diagnose the rise in the inflammatory disorders earlier than even Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR). The C-reactive protein is used significantly as an indicator of activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis,  tissue injury or necrosis, Rheumatic fever and infections. Any haematological conditions like Anaemia, Polycythemia do not influence the levels of the CRP(C-reactive Protein).

Lyme serology: The Lyme serology is a blood test which is significantly used for detecting an immune response to the infectious agent which is the causative agent of the Lyme Disease.

Skin biopsy: The Skin Biopsy procedure involves examining samples of skin under a microscope. This helps in the diagnosis of various types of arthritis which include the skin. Some of the common kinds of arthritis which affect the skin are lupus, vasculitis(this condition involves the inflammation of the blood vessels) and psoriatic arthritis.

Muscle biopsy: The biopsy of the muscles helps in the diagnosis of polymyositis or vasculitis. The damages in the muscle fibres are evaluated to diagnose the condition called vasculitis.

Joint fluid tests: In this test, the fluids present in the joint spaces are drawn and collected for testing. The Joint Fluid test is used for the determination of the presence of the uric acid crystals. The Joint Fluid test is mainly used for confirming the diagnosis of gout. This test can also detect the presence of other crystals.

What are the preparations required for the Arthritis profile?

– Overnight fasting is preferred prior to the Arthritis profile is conducted.

– There are no new medications which are included.

– You can continue with all your medications which you had been intaking. Consult your doctor for further guidelines.

What are the other tests for Arthritis?

If you are already diagnosed with Arthritis and you are undergoing the treatment for it, the doctor might suggest some tests for monitoring if your body is responding to the treatments. Some of the tests are generally suggested for monitoring the response to the treatment of arthritis.

Salicylate level: The Salicylate level test measures and monitors the amount of Salicylate in the blood. Salicylate is one of the main components of aspirin and in some other NSAIDs. The test evaluates if there is enough amount of salicylate in the blood of an individual. Both higher and lower levels of the Salicylate a have adverse health effects. 

Muscle Enzyme tests (CPK, aldolase) : The muscles and tissues which are damaged by some rheumatic diseases release a specific type of enzyme into the blood. The Muscle Enzyme test checks the levels of this enzyme in the blood. This test mainly evaluates the effectiveness of the medications in decreasing the inflammations by monitoring the amount of muscle damage that has happened due to some type of rheumatoid arthritis.

Creatinine test : Generally, the muscles produce a waste product called creatinine which gets directly released into the blood. Creatinine levels in the body help in evaluating the functioning of the kidney. A higher level of the creatinine in the blood indicates that the kidney is not functioning properly. This test is used mainly for monitoring the kidney functions in the people suffering from Lupus.

How is the arthritis profile test done?

Blood test
The procedure of the blood tests for the tests of Arthritis is conducted by the collection of the blood sample. The blood sample is collected by the procedure called venipuncture. The venipuncture process is  carried out by the following steps:

– A tight elastic band or a tourniquet is wrapped in the upper arm of an individual. This makes the veins more prominent. It makes it easier to locate the vein from which blood can be drawn.

– The needle of the syringe is injected into the vein and the blood is drawn and collected into the tube of the syringe. The tourniquet or the tight elastic band is then unwrapped.

– The area of the puncture is cleaned with an antiseptic. This helps in the prevention of any further infection.  The spot of the puncture is dabbed with a cotton swab or a bandage is put there for preventing any bleeding.

– The collected sample of the blood is then sent to the laboratory for the tests of arthritis.

Joint fluid collection

-A local or general anaesthetic is introduced in the area of the affected joint. A numbing spray can also be used by your health practitioner for numbing the area from where the joint fluid sample will get collected.

– A needle or syringe is injected into the joint which lies between the two bones. A sample of synovial fluid is drawn into the tube of the syringe.

– The sample is then sent to laboratories for further tests for Arthritis.

Skin Biopsy

– The affected area of the skin where the biopsy will be done is cleaned with an antiseptic.

– An anaesthetic is introduced or numbing cream is applied to the area which is affected. This numbs the area where the biopsy has to be done.

– Your health practitioner might use a sharp tool, double-edged razor or scalpel to cut the tissue.

– The tissue sample is then sent to the laboratory for the Arthritis test.

Muscle biopsy

– A needle biopsy is a process that involves the insertion of a needle into the muscle.

-On the removal of the needle, there is a small piece of tissue remaining on the needle. This sample is used for conducting the test for Arthritis.

– In an open biopsy, a small cut or incision is made on the skin and into the muscles and the muscle tissue is removed.

What are the risks associated with Arthritis Profile test?

Blood test
– The process of venipuncture can cause bruises and wounds.

– Haematoma is a very common risk associated with the procedure of the venipuncture. In this condition, blood gets clotted under the skin leading to the formation of lumps.

-The collection of the blood sample makes many people feel dizzy and lightheaded.

– You might experience pain associated with too many punctures which were made during finding the vein from which the blood got collected.

Synovial fluid collection

The procedure of the collection of the joint fluid or synovial fluid involves a few risks. Some of the most common symptoms are:

– It can lead to bleeding and soreness in the area around the spot of the injection of the syringe.

-The procedure of the collection of the joint fluid is done using a syringe. Hence unsterilized needle of a needle can lead to various infections.

Skin Biopsy
The few risks associated with the procedure of the skin biopsy are:

– Bruising and bleeding

– Soreness in the area around the spot of puncture is a very common risk which is associated with the procedure of the skin biopsy.

– Infections due to unsterilized needles of the syringe or injections are also a risk associated with the Skin biopsy procedure.

Risks of the Muscle Biopsy

– The muscles can get damages during the process of the skin biopsy is conducted.

– Bruising and bleeding are the two most common risks associated with the muscle biopsy procedure.

– If the skin remains broken, there are high chances for an individual to get an infection very easily.

What is the price of the Arthritis Profile in India?

The price of the Arthritis profile starts from 2,200 INR in India. The price can vary in various places across the country. Depending on the location i.e. the city or the state the diagnostic centre is loacted in, the prices of the Arthritis Profile might vary.

When will I get my results for the Arthritis profile?

You will get your results for the Arthritis Profile within 24 hours to 36 hours after the test is conducted.

What does my result of  Arthritis profile depict?

The clinical references of the components in the Arthritis Profile are:

Is the Arthritis profile recommended for pregnant women?

If a pregnant woman had already been suffering from any variety of Arthritis, the doctor might recommend the pregnant woman to undergo the Arthritis profile to evaluate if the treatment is working on the body.  If your health practitioner observes that you are experiencing the symptoms of any kind of Arthritis, he might recommend you to undergo the Arthritis Profile.

Can my kid undergo the Arthritis Profile?

If your kid is experiencing any symptoms related to any type of Arthritis, it is highly suggested to take your kid for the Arthritis profile. Some of the most significant and common symptoms are:

– Stiffness of joints
– Your kid can also experience pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints.
– Persistent or recurrent fever
– Red rashes on the skin and infections
– Sudden loss of weight
– Fatigue and tiredness
– Irritability and sudden shift of mood or mood swings
– Redness of eyes or pain in eyes
-Your kid might get blurry vision