Arthritis

Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone joints in the body. One in three adult Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and the disease affects about twice as many women as men.

Diagnosis

The various types of arthritis can be distinguished by the pace of onset, the age and sex of the patient, the amount of (and which) joints affected, additional symptoms (such as psoriasis, iridocyclitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and rheumatoid nodules), and other clues.

Related Topics:
Psoriasis - Iridocyclitis - Raynaud's phenomenon

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Blood tests and X-rays of the affected joints are often performed to make the diagnosis. X-rays can show erosions or bone appositions.

Related Topics:
Blood test - X-ray

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Screening blood tests: full blood count, electrolytes, renal function, liver enzymes, calcium, phosphate, protein electrophoresis, C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Specific tests are the rheumatoid factor, antinuclear factor (ANF), extractable nuclear antigen and specific antibodies whenever the ANF is found to be positive.

Related Topics:
Full blood count - Electrolytes - Renal function - Liver enzyme - Calcium - Phosphate - Protein electrophoresis - C-reactive protein - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - Rheumatoid factor - Antinuclear factor - Extractable nuclear antigen

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