All about rheumatoid arthritis

Often, RA is diagnosed by recognising the type and pattern of joint involvement (if the same areas are affected symmetrically on both sides of the body, for example); this is a hallmark of RA and referred to as the 'clinical history.'

Blood tests
Some lab tests can help establish the presence of RA, and your doctor will probably order a test to detect the rheumatoid factor, which is an antibody eventually present in the blood of most rheumatoid arthritis patients. It's inconclusive, though, since not all people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for the rheumatoid factor, especially in the early stages. You could also test positive and never develop the disease.

Other common tests include one for reactive protein or plasma viscosity, which indicates the presence of inflammation in the body, plus a white blood cell count and a blood test for anaemia, which is present in 80 per cent of cases. Your doctor may want to have X-rays taken, as these can help determine the extent of joint destruction.

How is it treated?
Treating rheumatoid arthritis really means relieving symptoms and slowing the disease's progress. Although there is no cure, you and your doctor can develop strategies for managing the disease. You'll probably use a variety of approaches, but all have the same basic goals: relieving pain, reducing inflammation, slowing down or even stopping joint damage and improving your ability to function.

Your treatment plan will most likely include drugs to relieve pain and/or reduce inflammation, with a rheumatologist and a GP governing the treatment plan but including other health carers, particularly a physiotherapist and occupational therapist.

Although there is no cure, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) may slow the course of the disease. In the past, doctors often hesitated to prescribe strong drugs until the disease had become relatively advanced. But this approach is changing, especially for those who suffer from severe, rapidly progressing rheumatoid arthritis. The use of drug combinations may be the best way to halt RA's progression and reduce or prevent joint damage.