RA is diagnosed with a combination of medical history (having an immediate family member with RA increases risk), physical exams, X-rays, and lab tests. If RA is suspected, lab tests are performed to look for increased inflammation or signs of autoimmunity.
Diagnostic tests for RA include the following:[1]
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
- C-reactive protein (CRP) test
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody test
- Complement blood test
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) test
- Synovial fluid analysis