A Primer on Rheumatologic Laboratory Tests: What They Mean and When to Order Them

Leeza Patel; Alison M Gizinski

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2018.02.002

A Primer on Rheumatologic Laboratory Tests: What They Mean and When to Order Them

Prim Care. 2018 Jun;45(2):181-191. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2018.02.002.

Authors

Leeza Patel¹, Alison M Gizinski²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Rheumatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street #509, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA.
² Division of Rheumatology, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr, Drive, Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. Electronic address: amgizinski@gmail.com.

PMID: 29759119
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2018.02.002

Abstract

Rheumatologic laboratory tests are frequently ordered by primary care physicians in patients who complain of joint pain. Clinicians should keep in mind the pretest probability of a rheumatologic disorder before ordering any test because laboratory tests in rheumatology are not diagnostic of any particular disease. Any rheumatologic laboratory test result should only be used to further refine the diagnosis, and it should not replace a thorough history and physical examination. In this article, the authors discuss the diagnostic utility of the commonly ordered rheumatologic laboratory tests based on their sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios.

Keywords: ANA; ANCA; CCP; CRP; ESR; RF.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Clinical Laboratory Techniques / standards*
Diagnostic Tests, Routine / standards*
Humans
Physical Examination / standards*
Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis*