Arthritis is a condition wherein a patient suffers from moderate to severe joint paints, which also limit the movement in the said area just like Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is just one of several conditions under this type of joint problem and is described as the lack of rheumatoid factor in the blood. There are several methods for testing a patient to diagnose whether they have this particular condition; however, they will always involve laboratory tests alongside evaluation of physical symptoms. Indeed the laboratory test is very important in the diagnosis of this particular condition since a lot of patients who had arthritis returned negative for this condition.
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis
Even if a patient has a negative result for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis test, there are several other tests conducted to see if they have rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the tests that you would expect to undergo include X-rays, CRP or C-reactive protein, CBC or complete blood count, and ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, among others. It is important that you undergo as many of these tests as possible because the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to diagnose. This condition typically affects men more than women.
In the case of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms are as follows: tender joints that are painful and swollen, feeling of stiffness the joints in the morning, limited range of movement, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms that are less common but can be a good indicator of this type of arthritis includes stiffness of the body and feeling of fatigue. According to health experts, the symptoms of this type of arthritis are usually exhibited in the morning, especially in the ankle, back, and wrist joints.
Once the patient is diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (or SRA), it is important to monitor its progress. This can be quite challenging, though. The presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood will indicate to the doctor how intense the development of the disease will be. The number of rheumatoid factor in the blood can indicate how intense or severe the problem is. However, the same cannot be said of SRA because there is a lack of rheumatoid factor in the patient’s blood.
Doctors observe and document the patterns in the patient’s flare of symptoms in order to identify what is the best remedy or treatment approach to recommend for the patient. This is why doctors closely monitor the patient’s condition throughout the process. Thus, patients are recommended to monitor a calendar on when the flares happen and the severity of the symptoms. This will help the doctor in determining the best treatment to use on the patient. Aside from the frequency of the flares, doctors also use the severity of the condition to assess how to address this particular rheumatoid arthritis problem.
The treatment for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis begins by addressing the pain that is felt by the patient. Then, treatment is focused on slowing down and eliminating the inflammation on the affected joints. The intake of NSAID (or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are recommended, along with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologic response modifiers, and analgesic drugs, depending on what the doctor assesses as the most necessary for your treatment.
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis conclusion
Keep all of these factors in mind if you are undergoing a series of tests for diagnosis. Or if when you are diagnosed with Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, use the information above when monitoring and treating your condition.
