Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel 2

This panel brings together the key blood markers used to investigate suspected rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. It is suited to people with persistent joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, especially when several joints are affected or symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks, and to those whose doctor wants a broad autoimmune screen before referral to rheumatology.

The panel combines markers of inflammation, autoantibody profiling, complement activity, and a full blood count, giving a rounded picture of immune activation and its effects on the blood. Testing uses standard immunoassay and immunology techniques, including nephelometry for rheumatoid factor and complement proteins, indirect immunofluorescence for antinuclear antibodies, and enzyme immunoassay for the specific extractable nuclear antigen antibodies. A simple blood sample is all that is needed.

Inflammatory Markers
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): a general marker of inflammation that tends to rise in active rheumatoid and other inflammatory disease.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): an acute-phase protein that rises quickly with active inflammation or infection.
- Uric acid: helps distinguish gout from rheumatoid arthritis when a joint is acutely swollen and painful.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Markers
- Rheumatoid factor (RF), quantitative: the classic antibody associated with rheumatoid arthritis, reported with a numerical titre.
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA): a broad screening test for autoimmune connective tissue disease.
- Anti-dsDNA antibodies: strongly linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and useful for monitoring disease activity.

Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) Antibodies
- Anti-Sm antibodies: associated with SLE.
- Anti-RNP antibodies: associated with mixed connective tissue disease.
- Anti-SS-A (Ro) antibodies: linked to Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, and neonatal lupus.
- Anti-SS-B (La) antibodies: linked to Sjögren's syndrome and SLE.
- Anti-Jo-1 antibodies: associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
- Anti-centromere antibodies: associated with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
- Anti-histone antibodies: associated with drug-induced lupus.

Antiphospholipid Antibodies
- Cardiolipin antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM: associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, which can cause clotting problems and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Complement System
- Complement C3 and C4: proteins consumed during active immune complex disease, so low levels can support a diagnosis of active SLE or related conditions.

Haematology
- Full blood count (FBC) with differential: assesses red cells, white cells, and platelets. Anaemia, low lymphocytes, or abnormal platelet counts are common in active autoimmune disease and help gauge overall impact.

Why it matters
Rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune conditions can cause lasting joint damage and systemic complications if they are not identified and treated early. This panel gives your doctor a detailed immunological and inflammatory profile in a single assessment, helping to confirm or exclude autoimmune disease, distinguish between overlapping conditions, and guide timely referral and treatment.