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Self-tests for rheumatoid arthritis: a way of early detection?
Posted on
7.11.2024
Edited on
14.11.2024
Contents
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint structures. This leads to pain, swelling and, as the disease progresses, joint changes that can restrict mobility. RA is a progressive disease, i.e. it is progressive. Early diagnosis and treatment is therefore crucial to minimise the risk of long-term consequences.
The diagnostic process usually involves medical examinations, blood analyses and imaging procedures.
If early symptoms occur, sufferers look for answers. Rheumatism self-tests are becoming increasingly popular in this context. These tests aim to recognise the first signs of rheumatic disease in an uncomplicated and simple way.
However, they do not replace a medical diagnosis of rheumatism, as various rheumatic diseases are accompanied by similar symptoms. A general rheumatism test or more specific rheumatoid arthritis test is therefore no substitute for a medical diagnosis. Rather, self-tests should be seen as a guide to raise awareness of symptoms and the disease.
Types of self-tests
There are different types of self-tests designed to assess the risk of developing rheumatic disease.
The most common self-tests are based on a self-assessment of symptoms and risk factors and are requested in simple online questionnaires. More advanced tests allow biomarkers in the blood to be analysed at home and then sent to a laboratory.
Online questionnaires
Questionnaires offer a quick and uncomplicated way to obtain an initial assessment. These tests ask the user questions about typical symptoms that can occur in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The following parameters are usually asked in order to make an initial assessment of the risk of rheumatoid arthritis:
- Joint pain,
- swelling,
- stiffness of the joints in the morning or
- family history.
Based on the answers, the user receives a rough assessment of whether RA may be present. In addition, the questions asked can sensitise the user to symptoms.
The Rheuma-Check, for example, provides a questionnaire to assess the risk of rheumatism. The Rheumatism Check is a service provided by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf University Hospital and the DGRh Rheumatism Centre Rhine-Ruhr. A rheumatism symptom test is intended to enable early detection and early treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
If a questionnaire indicates rheumatoid arthritis, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible to clarify the symptoms. This is because questionnaires are regarded as general indicators, but are not reliable tools for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
Blood tests for at home
As part of the medical diagnosis, blood analyses are carried out to check biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies. These biomarkers are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and are part of the diagnosis.
These blood tests are now also available for self-testing at home.
Self-tests at home are relatively easy to use. A small prick with a lancet is used to take a blood sample from the fingertip. This sample is then sent to a specialised laboratory for analysis. The results are provided within a few days. If abnormal values are found, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification.
Limitations of self-tests
Although self-tests for RA offer many advantages, they are not without limitations. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of accuracy compared to a full medical diagnosis. While blood tests can provide clues about possible RA, they do not provide complete information about joint health, disease progression or overall inflammatory activity in the body.
In addition, self-tests cannot distinguish between different forms of rheumatic diseases. For example, there are several rheumatic diseases that have similar symptoms to RA, such as psoriatic arthritis or gout. A positive self-test therefore does not necessarily mean that rheumatoid arthritis is present, but merely that further medical clarification is required.
In addition, self-tests can also provide a false sense of security, especially if the test results are negative even though symptoms are present. It is possible that a rheumatic disease is present even if the test result is negative. It is therefore important that those affected consult a doctor if they notice unusual symptoms despite a negative test result.
If early symptoms of a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis occur, online questionnaires or self-tests for home use can provide guidance. They are considered a useful supplement to enable an early assessment of symptoms.
However, these tests should never be considered a substitute for a medical diagnosis. They can provide initial indications of possible RA, but the diagnosis and treatment decision should always be left to a specialist.
[1] Rheumatism check. Test rheumatism risk online. Retrieved on 23/09/2024
[2] Internists on the Internet. Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Test. Retrieved on 23/09/2024
What is rheumatism?
Rheuma summarizes more than 100 diseases. Health professionals refer to rheumatic diseases or diseases of the rheumatic spectrum.
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases - an overview
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are one of four groups in the rheumatic spectrum. They are mostly autoimmune diseases, which are characterised by chronic inflammations in the musculoskeletal system.
Soft tissue rheumatism
Soft tissue rheumatism is a group of rheumatic conditions that includes rheumatic diseases of soft tissue. These include tendinitis, muscle hardening and fibromyalgia.
Early sign of rheumatism, rheumatoid factors &CCP
Pain and stiffness of the finger and toe joints are early signs of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factors and the CCP antibody value are often determined for diagnosis.
