Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigations

  • Haematology
    • Anaemia
    • Increased ESR
  • Serology
    • RF
      • Seen in 80%
      • Also present in
        • Sjogrens syndrome
        • SLE
        • Pulmonary fibrosis
      • High Titre » Worse RA (suggests poorer prognosis & more complications)
    • Antinuclear Antibody
      • May be ↑
    • Serum Complement
      • May be ↑
  • XR Cardinal Features
    • Soft tissue swelling
    • Periarticular osteoporosis
    • Marginal erosions
    • Joint space narrowing
    • Deformity
  • Histology
    • Synovial Biopsy
    • Usually nonspecific chronic inflammation
    • Suggestive but not diagnostic of RA