Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostic Criteria

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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The diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis include, first, the presence of swelling and pain in multiple joints, especially characterized and significant in the smaller joints. Second, serological tests show elevated levels of antibodies, commonly rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. If both are elevated, it is most meaningful. Third, the duration of joint swelling and pain should be more than six weeks. Fourth, we must also check some inflammatory markers for joints, such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. If these markers are elevated, and the patient has swelling and pain in multiple joints, then we can consider a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Orthopedics
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Is the ankle pain due to gout or rheumatoid arthritis?

In clinical practice, the first reason for ankle pain is rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, which mainly involves the synovium of the joint in the early stages, causing synovial hyperplasia and effusion leading to pain. The second cause is gout, which is due to dietary habits, such as frequent consumption of greasy or seafood-based foods, and a preference for beer, leading to increased uric acid levels and gout. The third cause is osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly people, which leads to degeneration of joint cartilage and pain. The fourth cause is sprains, which can lead to damage to cartilage and ligaments within the joint, causing pain. To determine whether ankle pain is caused by gout or rheumatic arthritis, one can simply visit a hospital for a checkup, such as a uric acid test to see if there is a significant increase in gout uric acid levels. If the uric acid level is significantly elevated, it is likely caused by gout. Additionally, one can check for a rheumatism panel to see if the anti-O test is positive; if it is, it may suggest that rheumatic factors are causing the pain.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with rheumatoid arthritis donate blood?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis. It belongs to auto-immune diseases and is not an infectious disease; the cause of which is currently unclear. There is also considerable individual variation in its clinical manifestations. Because it is an autoimmune disease, it cannot be cured. This relates to whether or not one can donate blood: firstly, blood donors must not have any infectious diseases. Secondly, since this disease cannot be cured and patients often need to take regular doses of medications such as methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine, there will be a certain concentration of these drugs in the body. If the condition allows and there are no infectious diseases, blood donation may be appropriately considered.

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The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have distinct differences. Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in middle-aged and elderly women and is caused by the wear, degeneration, and rupture of joint cartilage, leading to swelling and pain due to friction during joint movement. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by bacterial infections leading to the proliferation of synovium in the joints, causing swelling and pain. Over time, this condition can damage the joint's cartilage and meniscus, severely affecting joint mobility. The treatments for these two diseases are different. Osteoarthritis can be alleviated through rest, oral medication, and physical therapy to ease local pain. If these methods are ineffective after more than six months, surgical treatment may be necessary, mainly total knee replacement. However, the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis primarily relies on medication to relieve local pain by removing rheumatism. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How is rheumatoid arthritis treated?

The treatment methods for rheumatoid arthritis mainly fall into three categories: The first category is anti-inflammatory analgesics, which include non-steroidal analgesic drugs such as slow-release diclofenac sodium. For patients with especially high inflammatory indicators, low-dose corticosteroids may also be considered. The second category of drugs includes slow-acting drugs commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, such as methotrexate and leflunomide, which are immunosuppressants. If the patient does not respond well to non-steroidal analgesic drugs or immunosuppressants, biological agents can be considered as a treatment option. Common biological agents include tumor necrosis factor antagonists. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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What medicine should be taken for rheumatoid arthritis?

Medications for rheumatoid arthritis firstly include some anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, commonly used are non-steroidal pain relievers such as Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets and the like. The second, and most important, are what we call slow-acting drugs, which are often immunosuppressants, commonly used ones include Methotrexate, Leflunomide Tablets and the like. If the patient does not respond well to conventional oral medications, we can also use biologic treatments. Before using biologics, we need to strictly rule out hepatitis, tuberculosis, tumors, and some common infections. Commonly used biologics include tumor necrosis factor antagonists and similar drugs. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)