Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel-2

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel 2 test measures ANA IF, NcX dsDNA, Sm, RNP-Sm, RA, C3, C4, CCP levels in the blood.

• To diagnose and assess patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• To differentiate between rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] and other types of arthritis based on the laboratory test parameters.
• It may also be done in certain autoimmune disorders.

• Visible signs of inflammation in the joints.
• Those with a family history of RA/Arthritis.
• Those with SLE like symptoms of joint pain, fatigue and fever, butterfly-shaped rash on face, skin lesions, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes etc.
• Patients having signs and symptoms of a combination of disorders — primarily lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and Sjogren's syndrome characterized by numbness and puffiness of fingers, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and fever, rash, skin lesions, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes etc.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

8 to 10 hours fasting, only plain water to be consumed in fasting period.

RA test

RA factor present or positive (high) usually indicates the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it may also be positive in certain other autoimmune disorders like Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disorders, inflammatory lung diseases, and certain cancers. The RA factor test may also be positive in certain healthy individuals especially the elderly population. The absence of RA factor or negative (low) RA factor test is used to rule out RA disease. But, some patients with RA may have negative or low RA factor.

CCP Antibody Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide

Detection of anti-CCP antibodies [Positive Result] is used as an aid in the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and should be used in conjunction with other clinical information.

Antinuclear Antibodies Test

ANAs [Positive Result] indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity & provide, therefore, an indication of autoimmune illness. A positive result, autoantibodies against any one or in some cases simultaneously against more than one antigens may be present and further monospecific tests or panel of profiles can be used to determine the specific

If the test is negative, detectable level of auto antibodies is ruled out.

All weak positive (+) results may be repeated after 6 - 8 weeks.

NcX dsDNA test

If dsDNA test is positive: Patient is likely to be suffering from SLE or other autoimmune disease. Results need to be correlated with clinical symptoms.

Negative result does not rule out SLE as certain cases may show negative result.

RNP-Sm Antibody Serum

Positive RNP-Sm antibodies in the absence of other ANA antibodies may be highly suggestive of Mixed connective tissue disorders. Results need to be correlated with clinical symptoms.

Negative result does not rule out connective tissue disease as certain cases may show negative result.

Sm Antibody Smith Antibody Serum

If Sm antibody is also positive along with dsDNA SLE may be inferred. Sm autoantibodies though are found in 5-40% SLE patients but are considered highly specific.

Negative result does not rule out connective tissue disease as certain cases may show negative result. Results need to be correlated with clinical symptoms.

C3 & C4 test

Diminished serum concentrations of C3 and C4 are observed primarily in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in forms of membrane proliferative glomerulonephritis and in immune complex diseases (serum sickness).

• Arthritis Test
• CCP test
• ANA test
• RA test
• NcX dsDNA test
• Sm Test
• RNP-Sm Test
• C3 C4 test

• Rheumatoid factor (RA factor) is a protein or antibody that may be present in the blood or the synovial fluid in certain conditions.
• RA serum test is a blood test used to detect the presence or absence of RA factor in the blood. RA factor is produced by the immune system which destroys the healthy tissues of the body. RA factor is usually present in Rheumatoid arthritis or even in certain other autoimmune conditions.

This test is used for the semi-quantitative determination of the IgG class of auto antibodies specific to CCP in biological specimens

• Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are unusual antibodies, detectable in the blood, that have the capability of binding to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. ANAs indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity & provide, therefore, an indication of autoimmune illness.
• The ANA test is a sensitive screening test used to detect autoimmune diseases.

• Anti-ds DNA antibodies target the double stranded DNA.
• dsDNA test is done to aid diagnosis of SLE, an autoimmune disorder.
• Test is useful for both diagnosis and has prognostic potential

• RNP-Sm antibodies are anti-nuclear antibodies.
• Presence of these antibodies are suggestive of mixed connective tissue disease or sharp syndrome.
• RNP-Sm test is done to diagnose Sharp syndrome.

• Anti-Sm antibodies target the nuclear material.
• Presence of these antibodies are highly diagnostic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disorder affecting the connective tissues.

The complement system is an integral part of the antigen-nonspecific immune defence. C3 and C4 are part of the complement system. C3 & C4 test is may be used to monitor people with an autoimmune disorder.