Arthritis Profile Test

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a dreadful condition, in which one or more of your body joints get inflamed or swollen. People with arthritis most suffer from intense joint pain, and it gets more severe with age. There are multiple types of arthritis, but few types are more common. Few names of the common types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Metabolic arthritis (most commonly known as gout)
• Septic arthritis
• Thumb arthritis

Those are commonly known arthritis forms. But most people get affected with the two arthritis forms, which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis, which can affect any joint in our body but mainly impacts the joints of hands, knees, hips and spine. As we know cartilage is a protective layer in the joint, and this arthritis causes wear-and-tear in the cartilage of the joint.

Osteoarthritis causes deterioration in the bones and in the connective tissue works as attacking the joint with bones and holding the joint together. This deterioration of the connective tissues causes inflammation or swelling in the joint lining.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic form of auto inflammatory arthritis. Joint capsule is a membrane which encloses all joint parts. And with rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the joint capsule linings which causes inflammation in the synovial membrane. This state over time can ruin the cartilage and bone around the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis mainly occurs in the wrists and fingers. But it also impacts several other body joints, including the neck, elbows, knees, shoulders, hip and feet. Also, this arthritis can contribute to heart disease, kidney disease, nerves complications, eyes and skin issues.

What are the risk factors?

The exact reason for the arthritis problem is still unknown. But there are certain risk factors which might cause arthritis. The risk factors for arthritis are as follows:

• Age: The chances of having rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout increases with age.
• Gender: Women are more prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis than men.
• Family history: Most types of arthritis generally run in the family. People with a family history of arthritis may get it as well.
• Obesity: People who are overweight or have obesity are more likely to get affected with arthritis, because carrying excessive weight stresses out joints, especially knees and spine.
• Prior joint injury: People who have any prior joint injury are more likely to develop arthritis problems.

If you have any of the risk factors, then it is better to test yourself with an arthritis blood test as soon as possible.

What is an arthritis blood test?

An arthritis test will help you to determine whether you have developed any forms of the chronic arthritis disease. Most oftenly arthritis panel is prescribed for diagnosing arthritis, to determine the severity of your arthritis condition, and to monitor your response to the treatment.

When should you go for the arthritis panel?

Depending on the type of arthritis, the symptoms may vary. However, common symptoms are:

• Pain around the joints
• Swelling or inflammation around the joints
• Stiffness in the joints for at least 30 minutes which occurs especially in the morning

Sample requirements and test preparations

Blood samples will be required, and you are not allowed to eat food or drink except water for 8 hours before the test.

Interpreting the results

To interpret the results your doctor will see the test results with a physical examination, and also ask your medical history as well. Consult with your doctor for a clearer understanding of your test results.