Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel, Serum
Use
This test is useful for evaluating patients suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and differentiating RA from other inflammatory arthritis or connective tissue diseases. It aids in the diagnosis and stratification of rheumatoid arthritis by testing for rheumatoid factors (RF) and anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), which are important for the early diagnosis of RA. These markers help assess disease presence, phase, and severity, thus facilitating appropriate therapeutic decisions and management strategies.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies results may be falsely positive in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue diseases. Rheumatoid factors are not specific to RA and may be observed in other systemic autoimmune diseases or nonrheumatic conditions, particularly in older individuals. Antirheumatic treatment should not solely depend on these test results since elevated markers can be present in other conditions, and seronegative RA requires clinical diagnosis.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 46437-0 - RF + cCP IgG Pnl Ser-aCnc
- 33935-8 - cCP IgG SerPl-aCnc
- 11572-5 - Rheumatoid fact SerPl-aCnc
Result Turnaround Time
2-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1.2 mL
Container
Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914); Preferred: Serum gel; Acceptable: Red top; Submission: Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Causes for Rejection
Reject due to gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, heat-treated specimen. Accept gross icterus.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |