1st-order laboratory parameters-obligatory laboratory tests.
- Small blood count
- Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
- Urine status (rapid test for: nitrite, protein, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes) incl. sediment, if necessary urine culture (pathogen detection and resistogram, that is, testing of suitable antibiotics for sensitivity / resistance) [systemic lupus erythematosus: Hematuria (blood in the urine) and proteinuria (increased excretion of protein with the urine), in combination with thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets) and leukocytopenia (decrease in white blood cells)]
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Anti-citrulline antibodies – for suspected rheumatoid arthritis.
- Uric acid – if gout (arthritis urica) is suspected.
- Renal parameters – urea, creatinine (creatinine clearance if necessary).
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) – if rheumatic diseases are suspected (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus).
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) – when polymyositis (systemic disease of skeletal muscle) is suspected.
- Creatine kinase (CK) [↑]aldolase [↑]GOT [↑]lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [↑]possibly detection of myoglobin in serum and urine.
- PCR examination for Borrelia from joint punctate or synovium (joint mucosa) – if Lyme arthritis (joint inflammation; mid to late manifestation of Lyme disease) is suspected.
- Infectious serology – on suspicion of previous infection: Chlamydia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Yersinia, Salmonella.
- Joint puncture with bacteriological, microscopic and chemical / immunological examination – on suspicion of bacterial arthritis (bone inflammation), gout (due toSynovia analysis).
