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Rheumatoid arthritis

How do doctors diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?

Doctors sometimes have a hard time diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. This is because the symptoms can come on very slowly, and there is no one test to say for sure you have it or don't have it. So your doctor will need to collect lots of types of information to make a diagnosis.

Your doctor may do the following things before making a diagnosis. Click on the links below to learn more.

Ask you questions about your joints: Your doctor will want to know if your joints are stiff or get swollen, and how long you have had problems.
Examine your joints: Your doctor will look to see if your joints are swollen and how they move.
Do a blood test: Some people with rheumatoid arthritis have a special protein in their blood called rheumatoid factor. Your doctor may test for this. But if you don't have this protein, you could still have rheumatoid arthritis.
Do X-rays of your joints: X-rays can show whether your bones are getting thin or changing shape.

After collecting this information, your doctor may use the following list to make a diagnosis. If you have four or more of the signs of rheumatoid arthritis from the list below, it is very likely that you have the condition:

Source:
Smith CA.
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis: current criteria.
American Family Physician. 1991; 44: 863-870.

Morning stiffness in your joints lasting for more than an hour
Swelling and i nflammation in three or more joints, lasting more than six weeks
Swelling and inflammation in your hand joints or wrists, lasting more than six weeks
Symptoms in the same joints on both sides of your body, lasting more than six weeks
Rheumatoid nodules (these are firm lumps under your skin)
Rheumatoid factor in the blood (many people with rheumatoid arthritis have this protein in their blood)
X-rays showing changes in your joint (X-rays can show if your bones are getting thin and changing shape).

Sources for the information on this page:

Smith CA.Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis: current criteria.American Family Physician. 1991; 44: 863-870.

This information was last updated on Mar 06, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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