Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diagnosis
A rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis can be difficult to make at first, because early signs and symptoms may be similar to those of many other diseases. There is no single test that can definitively diagnose someone with RA.
For these reasons, it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms and address them with a specialist trained to diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis. A rheumatologist will be familiar with the condition and will know how to confirm whether you have the disease and can determine how severe it is. Often the first step is performing a physical exam to check your joints for common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms (swelling, warmth, and redness), as well as reflexes, muscle strength, and overall function.
Rheumatoid Factor and Other Diagnostic Tests
One common rheumatoid arthritis test checks for high levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), an antibody present in the blood of many patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
To perform a rheumatoid factor test, your doctor will request a blood sample and measure the levels of rheumatoid factor in your system.
Overall, about 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for RF.
What Your RF Test Results Mean
(–) Negative Result
- Little to no RF was found in your blood
- Does not mean you do not have RA or other health problems
- Some people with RA have little to no RF in their body
(+) Positive Result
- You have RF in your blood
- You are more likely to have a condition linked to rheumatoid factors, like RA
While there is a correlation between high rheumatoid factor levels and rheumatoid arthritis, a rheumatoid factor test can’t diagnose any health problems on its own. Other steps of the diagnostic process may include, but are not limited to:
- Checking for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), which indicate inflammation
- X-rays to help track the progression of RA
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound tests to determine the severity of RA
They went through a whole bevy of things they thought it might be: fibromyalgia, lupus... they finally performed [a rheumatoid factor] test and then went through a range-of-motion series. That’s when I was officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Meg, CIMZIA patient Individual results may vary.
Impact
Once it develops, RA is a lifelong condition. Living with RA can take a toll over time. Physically, joint symptoms can impact your ability to perform everyday activities and care for your family, while emotionally, you may not feel like participating in social activities or like you’re able to do your best at work. Talking to your rheumatologist can help you achieve better results in managing RA symptoms.
There are four stages of RA, with studies showing that, on average, people who are persistently RF-positive tend to suffer from more swollen joints than those who are persistently RF-negative. The four stages of RA are:
- Your symptoms may be limited to joint swelling that may make it painful to move them.
- Joint swelling typically worsens. Additionally, the increase in inflammation will begin deteriorating the cartilage in your joints.
- The loss of joint cartilage reaches a point where your bone becomes unprotected. Damage to your joints, including joint deformities, may now become visible on x-ray.
- Your RA has progressed to the point where your body has developed fibrous tissue and/or bones have fused, resulting in a loss of joint function.
With early detection and treatment, your RA can be managed. To help with your RA diagnosis, download our Doctor Discussion Guide to inform your next appointment with your rheumatologist. Through open conversation with your doctor about how symptoms are affecting you physically and emotionally, you can decide your best plan for treatment together.
There are so many different faces for RA, and it’s not relegated to one age group. If you are scared because of the information that you’ve read…have a conversation with your doctor. Take that opportunity; don’t let it pass you by. Because you have one life.
- Meg, CIMZIA patient Individual results may vary.
Treatment
While there is no cure for RA, early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are critical to getting your condition under control as early as possible.
Even though the progression of RA varies from person to person, for most people it can worsen over time and potentially require surgery if it isn’t managed properly. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your rheumatologist to fully understand the complexities of RA throughout your treatment experience.
CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol), as a biologic injection for rheumatoid arthritis, may help people with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis achieve results even when other treatment options haven't worked. Ask your rheumatologist how CIMZIA may work for you.
How to talk to your doctor about RA and rheumatoid factor (RF)
When it comes to the effectiveness of your RA treatment, your RF level may be playing more of a role than you realize. The next time you visit your rheumatologist, it may help to ask these 3 questions to get a better understanding of the relationship between your RF and RA:
- What is my RF level?
- How does RF affect my RA?
- Can RF levels affect my RA treatment?
Tips for rheumatoid arthritis treatment:
How to talk to your doctor about RA and rheumatoid factor (RF)
When it comes to the effectiveness of your RA treatment, your RF level may be playing more of a role than you realize. The next time you visit your rheumatologist, it may help to ask these 3 questions to get a better understanding of the relationship between your RF and RA:
- What is my RF level?
- How does RF affect my RA?
- Can RF levels affect my RA treatment?
Manage Your RA With Confidence
By keeping track of your symptoms, writing down any questions you have, and being open with your rheumatologist about what you’re experiencing, you can find the treatment that’s most appropriate for you, even if you’ve been on other RA treatments before.
To ensure a productive conversation at your next appointment, download our Doctor Discussion Guide.
*The CIMplicity program is provided as a service of UCB and is intended to support the appropriate use of CIMZIA. The CIMplicity program may be amended or canceled at any time without notice. Some program and eligibility restrictions may apply.
I would say RA is almost like an afterthought to me now.
- Diedra, CIMZIA patient Individual results may vary.
Resources
CIMplicity<sup>®</sup> is a free program that provides support at each step of your experience when treating your RA with CIMZIA (certolizumab pegol). For more details, enroll now.*
The American College of Rheumatology works to advance rheumatology treatment through programs to improve care for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and arthritis.
Working to advance the treatment of more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions, the Arthritis Foundation also has a helpline available at 1-800-283-7800.
FORWARD is the largest patient-reported research data bank for rheumatic disorders in the United States. FORWARD works to improve treatment outcomes for people with rheumatic disorders.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and of musculoskeletal and skin diseases.
*The CIMplicity program is provided as a service of UCB and is intended to support the appropriate use of CIMZIA. The CIMplicity program may be amended or canceled at any time without notice. Some program and eligibility restrictions may apply.