Diseases await us at every step, because we can’t even imagine how many bacteria and viruses are around. Sometimes it happens that a common viral infection can lead to complex abnormalities in the body. Rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis and other pathological processes in our body can develop over the years, and sometimes occur dramatically. To confirm or refute these unpleasant diagnoses, specialists prescribe various tests.
Rheumatic tests - what is it?
In addition to the diseases mentioned above, rheumatic tests should be done if you suspect the occurrence of the following diseases:
- glomerulonephritis;
- gout;
- chronic tonsillitis;
- oncological diseases;
- systemic lupus erythematosus and some others.
Still, rheumatic tests - what is it? This is a blood test showing the degree and prevalence of an autoimmune reaction, an inflammatory process that affects the joints, tissues and internal organs of the body. A blood test for rheumatic tests can be prescribed several times during the treatment of the patient. Its results show well the dynamics of the development of the disease: whether it progresses or not, how the mass damage to organs has changed over a specific period of time. This allows doctors to predict the condition of the patient and assess his well-being at the time of passing the test for rheumatic tests (whose norm will be noted below).
What are the types of rheumatic tests?
The results of this study are multifactorial, according to which specialists determine not only one component of the inflammatory process that occurs in the body, but they see the most clear picture of the disease. Blood for rheumatic tests is donated once, but is distributed in several parts to conduct various types of this analysis. They are as follows:
- determination of rheumatoid factor;
- detection of antibodies to streptococcus;
- study of the level of C-reactive protein;
- determination of plasma protein levels;
- analysis of uric acid, creatine, urea, creatinine to identify kidney problems;
- study of the indicator of circulating immune complexes.
Rheumatoid factor in the analysis results
Rheumatoid factor is a type of rheumatic test, which helps to detect specific antibodies using serodiagnosis (ELISA, RIGA, RIF, RSK). After all, rheumatic tests - what is it? These are tests that allow you to identify autoimmune diseases in the body. And the rheumatoid factor is a protein that is affected by viruses and bacteria. Under their influence, the immune system perceives the protein as a foreign particle. Subsequently, antibodies are intensively formed in the body that are detected in the analysis for rheumatic tests.
The detection of this factor in the blood indicates the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. Its values in the blood system also increase during hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and in the acute course of various inflammation processes. Rheumatoid factor in the blood system is measured in units / ml or IU / ml.
A blood test for this factor is necessary for an accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. As a result of rheumatic tests in the blood, protein compounds are determined. If the values are much higher than normal numbers, it means that it is a severe course of arthritis and, possibly, Sjogren's syndrome.
In 10% of cases in the examined people, this indicator is within normal limits. The numbers may increase due to age-related changes or a high level of fat in serum if a person has consumed fatty foods. The decrease in the result is associated with an excess of fatty particles in the blood or due to the use of the drug Methyldopa.
Identification of antibodies to streptococcus
Analysis for rheumatic tests detects antibodies to streptococci that occur when there is the slightest interaction with the pathogen. If the serological method shows a positive result, this means that there is a tendency to the development of diseases such as glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, acute tonsillitis and many others.
A marker for streptococcal infection is the antistreptolysin-O protein found in the blood in patients with scarlet fever, myocarditis, and meningitis. The microorganism periodically exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis, therefore, an analysis for rheumatic tests should be taken every six months.
Higher rates of antistreptolysin-O with rheumatism, and with rheumatoid arthritis, the values are much lower. Thanks to these antibodies, these two diseases can be distinguished. Future analysis results are influenced by various factors. For example, food, physical activity, diseases of the skin and liver, and an increase in cholesterol influence the increase in the result. Antibiotics and corticosteroids decrease their values.
C-reactive protein in the blood
Rheumatic tests help to see an increase or decrease in CRP. Thanks to the C-reactive protein, decaying products of degrading cells are removed from the body, and lymphocyte phagocytosis is stimulated. Most often, an increase in such a protein in the body indicates diseases of the bone apparatus and joints. In the body, the protein lives about six hours. If a person begins to recover, then the protein indicators drop sharply, and with inflammation literally within four hours increase.
If this
protein fraction is increased in the body
, then this indicates the presence of inflammation of any etiology inside the body. A significant sign of an acute inflammatory process is C-reactive protein. For example, with oncology, rheumatic lesion, it increases dramatically.
Analysis for rheumatic tests is recommended for people with atypical infectious diseases. It is undesirable to take an analysis for those who have had surgery or injuries, because due to various external actions, the protein begins to increase. Recent results of tests and recent interventions, estrogens and contraceptives, smoking increase. Reduced red blood cells, increased levels of fat molecules in the blood, and drugs contribute to a decrease, but the clinical values in these cases are very small.
Rheumatic tests show an increase in CRP in the blood system in rheumatic diseases, oncology, meningitis, tuberculosis.
Protein level
Analysis for rheumatic tests - what is it? Many people ask this question after the doctor has prescribed this analysis. The main thing is to understand that the study is conducted to diagnose inflammatory diseases and detect protein, this is called rheumatic test. Decoding analysis also shows the number of protein fractions.
When various infectious diseases arise, antibodies are formed to them, as a result of which the protein in the blood plasma increases. Therefore, the identification of an increase in the number of globulins may indicate the occurrence of inflammatory diseases in the body. It can also occur due to autoimmune damage.
If the ratio of certain proteins in the blood changes, then this allows the specialist to have complete information. Rheumatic tests can report a decrease in protein in a pregnant woman who is breastfeeding, and in smokers. An increase in protein occurs due to dehydration and a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body.
Rheumatic tests, indicating a decrease in protein, serve as an occasion for a specialist to suspect liver, intestinal, infection, heart failure, malignant tumors and even drug overdose. Reduced protein is the result of fasting and taking medications (estrogens, contraceptives, hormones).
Why do we need a serological reaction in the analysis?
Serodiagnosis serves for specific direct detection of viral particles.
A serological reaction is the process of determining an unknown antigen from an already known antibody. Nowadays, this type of diagnosis is widely used in conventional medicine and forensic examination, since the reliability of the data obtained is very high. From this it follows that the result of a rheumatic test (this is the norm or pathology) will be accurate.
Serological analysis is basic and is used to determine infections of various etiologies (syphilis, toxoplasma, HIV, hepatitis, mycoplasmas and many others). Special preparation is not required for blood donation, and the reaction is absolutely safe.
What is the analysis assigned to?
To understand the purpose of the analysis, you need to know the answer to the question: “Rheumatic tests - what is it?” Rheumatic tests are a research method performed separately or in a comprehensive examination to find inflammation processes. Inflammation can be in acute, chronic, autoimmune form. The analysis is prescribed for the initial determination of the diagnosis, differential diagnosis with similar symptoms, prognosis of the development of the disease, selection and evaluation of an effective method of proper treatment.
How to prepare for the analysis?
A blood test for rheumatic tests is given exclusively on an empty stomach, it is advisable not to eat for 12 hours. Also, for several hours, do not use drinks containing caffeine and juices. Stop using drugs, spirits, and tobacco within a few days. Limit physical activity in one day, and 30 minutes before the procedure, you should calm down. Rheumatic tests in children are performed in the same way, so training for them is no exception. Before taking the test, you can not do an x-ray, as the test will show the wrong result.
Rheumatic tests: norm, table
It is impossible to keep all the values of the aforementioned factors in your memory, therefore, there are reference values of the analyzes, which are printed primarily for doctors, and not for patients. For this reason, one does not need to try to identify any pathology in oneself without the verdict of a medical specialist. When passing an analysis for rheumatic tests, decryption of certain parameters (rheumatic factor, antistreptolysin-O, C-reactive protein, uric acid) is performed according to established data. For convenience, the values of the norms of the studies were made in the form of a table.
Rheumatic tests: norm, table (main indicators):
| Name | Age | Norm |
| Antistreptolysin-O | Children under 14 years old | 0-150 u / ml |
| Adults | 0-200 |
| Rheumatoid factor | Children under 12 years old | <12.5 IU / ml |
| Adults | <14 |
| C-reactive protein | Children and adults | 0-5 mg / l |
Estimated Cost of Research
An analysis for rheumatic tests, the price of which is within 1000 rubles, excluding blood sampling, is often prescribed. What is included in this amount? The cost of blood donation for the determination of antistreptolysin-O is about 350 rubles, the rheumatoid factor is about 300 rubles, C-reactive protein is also within this amount. Blood sampling from a vein averages 200 rubles. Prices vary depending on the laboratory in which the study takes place, as well as on its geographical location.