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Rheumatologic Tests: A Primer for Family Physicians - American Family Physician

Aug 1, 2018 - Patients with a suspected connective tissue disorder should undergo serologic testing to confirm the diagnosis and, in some cases, to monitor disease activity and predict flares. Patients with suspected systemic lupus erythematosus should be tested for antinuclear antibodies. However, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0801/p164.html

Acute Monoarthritis: Diagnosis in Adults - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2016 - Acute monoarthritis can be the initial manifestation of many joint disorders. The most common diagnoses in the primary care setting are osteoarthritis, gout, and trauma. It is important to understand the prevalence of specific etiologies and to use the appropriate diagnostic modalities....

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p810.html

Differential Diagnosis of Polyarticular Arthritis - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2015 - Polyarticular arthritis is commonly encountered in clinical settings and has multiple etiologies. The first step is to distinguish between true articular pain and nonarticular or periarticular conditions by recognizing clinical patterns through the history and physical examination. Once...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0701/p35.html

Evaluation of Poststreptococcal Illness - American Family Physician

May 15, 2005 - Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever, and rarely asymptomatic carrier states are associated with a number of poststreptococcal suppurative and nonsuppurative complications. As in streptococcal pharyngitis, acute rheumatic fever, pediatric autoimmune ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0515/p1949.html

Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematossus - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2003 - Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem inflammatory disease that is often difficult to diagnose. Before the diagnosis can be established, four of 11 clinical and laboratory criteria must be met. Antinuclear antibody titer is the primary laboratory test used to diagnose systemic ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1201/p2179.html

Diagnostic Approach to Polyarticular Joint Pain - American Family Physician

Sep 15, 2003 - Identifying the cause of polyarticular joint pain can be difficult because of the extensive differential diagnosis. A thorough history and a complete physical examination are essential. Six clinical factors are helpful in narrowing the possible causes: disease chronology, inflammation, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0915/p1151.html

Diagnosing Acute Monoarthritis in Adults: A Practical Approach for the Family Physician...

Jul 1, 2003 - Acute monoarthritis can be the initial manifestation of many joint disorders. The first step in diagnosis is to verify that the source of pain is the joint, not the surrounding soft tissues. The most common causes of monoarthritis are crystals (i.e., gout and pseudogout), trauma, and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0701/p83.html

Clinical Utility of Common Serum Rheumatologic Tests - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2002 - Serum rheumatologic tests are generally most useful for confirming a clinically suspected diagnosis. Testing for rheumatoid factor is appropriate when rheumatoid arthritis, SjÃ¶gren's syndrome or cryoglobulinemia is suspected. Antinuclear antibody testing is highly sensitive for ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0315/p1073.html

Radiographic Assessment of Osteoarthritis - American Family Physician

Jul 15, 2001 - Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions affecting older adults and a significant public health problem among adults of working age. As the bulk of the U.S. population ages, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to rise. Although the incidence ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0715/p279.html

Clinical Utility of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate - American Family Physician

Oct 1, 1999 - The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) determination is a commonly performed laboratory test with a time-honored role. However, the usefulness of this test has decreased as new methods of evaluating disease have been developed. The test remains helpful in the specific diagnosis of a ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/1001/p1443.html