Rheumatic profile is a test that allows you to diagnose rheumatic diseases, such as, incl. lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and thus - choose the right treatment. Check what are the indications for a rheumatic profile, what are the standards and how to interpret the test results.

Rheumatic profileare blood tests that allow you to diagnose rheumatic diseases. The rheumatic profile includes tests such as uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), Biernacki's test (ESR), peripheral blood count, rheumatoid factor (RF) and the presence of Waaler-Rose test. Some laboratories also perform antistreptolysin (ASO) and anti-CCP antibody concentration assessments.

Rheumatic profile - indications

The rheumatic profile is performed when rheumatic diseases are suspected, i.e. when severe pain and stiffness of joints and / or muscles, swelling of joint capsules etc. appear for a long time. rheumatological problems. The rheumatic profile is also performed to monitor the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

1. Rheumatoid factor (RF)

Rheumatoid factor is an antibody against your own body. It contributes to the destruction of tissue, which is the essence of rheumatic disease.

An increase in RF concentration usually indicates rheumatoid arthritis (it occurs in about 80% of patients). It may also indicate systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease or Sjögren's syndrome, but in these diseases RF appears much less frequently in the patient's blood.

It should be noted that its absence does not exclude RA, and vice versa - its presence is not synonymous with the diagnosis of RA. Therefore, the presence of a Waaler-Rose reaction is usually assessed simultaneously. It is one of the methods for determining the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF). The presence of the Waaler-Rose reaction confirms that we are dealing with a rheumatic disease.

Important

Rheumatic profile - norms

  • CRP - 0.08-3.1 mg / l, however in smokers, obese people, with arterial hypertension it may be<10 mg/l
  • acidurinary - 0.15-0.45 mmol / l (2.5-8.0 mg / dl)
  • RF - depending on the method - Waaler and Rose reactions<1,80; odczyn lateksowy <1/40; nefelometria laserowa <40 j./ml;
  • OB - women 50 years old: up to 30 mm per hour; males 50 years: up to 20 mm per hour
  • Waaler-Rose reaction - not present
  • ASO - from 10 to 200 IU / ml
  • anti-CCP - less than 5 RU / ml

2. Uric acid

Uric acid is a product of the metabolism of purine bases. Its blood level helps to answer the question of whether gout is the cause of joint pain.

An increase in uric acid levels in the blood may indicate arthritis, as well as kidney failure, and even psoriasis. On the other hand, a reduction in the level of uric acid indicates metabolic disorders, e.g. xanthinuria.

3. C-reactive protein (CRP)

This is the so-called an acute phase protein, the levels of which in the blood increase when an infection, such as a virus, occurs. It is these pathogens that are likely to cause rheumatic diseases. It is suspected that they stimulate the immune system to attack its own tissues - thus causing inflammation. This is what happens, among others in rheumatoid arthritis.

CRP above 3.1 to 10 mg / L suggests that there is an inflammatory reaction in the body. CRP level<40 mg/l wskazuje na łagodne zapalenia i infekcje wirusowe, a CRP <200 mg/l oznacza infekcje bakteryjne. Z kolei CRP <500 mg/l pojawia się w przypadku ciężkich zakażeń bakteryjnych.

4. Biernacki's Reaction (ESR)

ESR, or Biernacki's reaction, is the rate at which red blood cells fall into the blood plasma within 1-2 hours.

Increased ESR is usually a sign of inflammation in your body, especially rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

6. Blood count

Morphology is a general blood test that can detect many diseases early in their development.

CHECK>>BLOOD MORPHOLOGY - how to read the result?

7. Antistreptolysin (ASO)

ASO are antibodies that block the action of one of the streptococcal enzymes (streptolysin O). 10 out of 80 streptococcal serotypes are rheumatogenic, which means that infection with these microorganisms can cause rheumatic disease.

If the ASO level exceeds 250 IU / ml in adults and 333 UI / ml in children over 5 years of age, it may indicate complications such as rheumatic disease and / or glomerulonephritis after a history of group A streptococcal infection.

8. Anti-CCP antibodies

Anti-CCP (against cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies are recognized as a specific marker (detector) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unlike the RF factor, anti-CCP antibodies appear before the onset of RA symptoms (even from 9 to 14years).

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