How is RA diagnosed?
RA can be difficult to diagnose because it may begin with only subtle symptoms, such as achy joints or a little stiffness in the morning. Additionally, many diseases early on behave like RA. For this reason, patients suspected of having RA should be evaluated by a rheumatologist. X-rays can be very helpful in diagnosing RA, but may not show any abnormalities in the first 3–6 months of the arthritis. MRI and ultrasound are also being used more frequently to help detect the severity of RA. It is important to remember that, for most patients with this disease, there is no single test that “confirms” a diagnosis of RA. Rather, diagnosis is established by evaluating the individual’s symptoms, physical exam, laboratory tests, and X-rays.
