Rheumatology

Renown Rheumatology

Renown Rheumatology's board-certified rheumatologists provide state-of-the art care for a wide range of autoimmune rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, Sjogren syndrome, vasculitis, gout, and many more. They use the most advanced evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic measures to restore health and enhance well-being.

 

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Common Diagnostic Studies Used in the Evaluation of Rheumatic Diseases

 

  • Antibody Tests
  • Biochemical Tests
  • Genetic Tests
  • Imaging Studies
  • Joint Fluid Aspiration
  • Rheumatoid Factor (RF): Confers nonspecific risk of rheumatoid arthritis
  • Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody (ACPA): Confers specific risk of rheumatoid arthritis
  • Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA): Confers nonspecific risk of connective tissue disease
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA): Confers risk of small vessel vasculitis
  • Anti-Phospholipid Antibody (APLA): Confers risk of antiphospholipid syndrome
  • Complement proteins 3 and 4 (C3 and C4): Low levels suggest active disease in lupus or related autoimmune diseases
  • Urine Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio (UPCR): High levels suggest active lupus nephritis or small vessel vasculitis
  • Uric Acid: Elevated in people with gout but may be low during acute gout attack
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Nonspecific indicator of chronic inflammation
  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Nonspecific indicator of acute inflammation
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): Used to assess the effects of autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive medications on bone marrow function
  • Complete Metabolic Profile (CMP): Used to assess the effects of autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive medications on kidney and liver functions
  • Human Leukocyte Antigen B27 (HLA-B27): Confers risk of spondyloarthropathy
  • Human Leukocyte Antigen B51 (HLA-B51): Confers risk of Behcet's disease
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Used at point of care to assess joint inflammation, guide joint injection or joint fluid aspiration
  • XR: Used to assess joint damage from inflammation or wearing over time
  • CT or MRI: Used to assess joint, muscle, and blood vessel inflammation which are not visualizable on plain XR
  • Synovial Fluid Cytology: Used to test for crystals and blood cells in inflamed joints
  • Synovial Fluid Gram Stain and Culture: Used to test for infection in inflamed joints