Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.
- Small blood count
- Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
- Uric acid
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Examination of the joint punctate
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- ANA (antinuclear antibodies) – if rheumatic disease is suspected.
- Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) – biomarker for articular cartilage destruction.
- Fragments of the protein are released from articular cartilage by inflammatory, traumatic, or degenerative processes; elevated serum COMP levels are found in primary and posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
- High serum levels are a prognostic marker for early osteoarthritis of predominantly large joints.
- Arthritis Diagnostics
- Blood: CRP, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP, uric acid, ACE, Ca, parathyroid hormone; heparin blood: HLA-B27, HLA-DR4.
- Punctate: synovial analysis, RF, cytology, if necessary Borrelia immunoblot, Yersinia immunoblot.
- If para- or postinfectious arthritis is suspected: serology: AK against Borrelia, Campylobacter, Chlamydia, Hepatis B virus, Parvovirus B19, Rubella virus, Salmonella, Streptococcus (ASL), Yersinia.
- If the result of an autoimmune disease is suspected: ANA, if positive: anti-ds-DNA-AK, ANCA, ENA, histones.
- Pathogen detection (cultural): stool for Campylobacter, parasites, Salmonella, Shigella, fungi (Candida), Yersinia.