Tests
Doctors diagnose reactive arthritis based on the patients’ story and on examination. There are a few tests which may be carried out to rule out other diseases:
- X-ray or other imaging such as MRI – To examine the joint for any damage or inflammation
- FBC – to look for excess white cells which may suggest infection
- ESR – may rise with inflammation
- CRP – may rise with inflammation
- Rheumatoid factor – to help rule out other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Autoantibodies – may help rule out systemic lupus erythematosus
- HLA-B27- may show that the patient is at risk
- Synovial fluid analysis – examination of joint fluid can show alternative diseases such as infection or crystals within the joint
Doctors may also look for the infection which triggered the reaction:
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