Arthritis and autoimmune diseases physician resourcesOur resource center includes a host of Quest Diagnostics educational and clinical laboratory resources for clinicians who treat patients with arthritis and autoimmune diseases. From webinars and CME programs to expert insights and publications, it’s all valuable information to help support you in making better clinical decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognosis. The role of laboratory testing in the treatment of arthritis and autoimmune disease |
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| Webinar: Statistical/epidemiological review of RA Dr. Martin J. Bergman of Drexel University discusses the current epidemiology and statistics surrounding rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dr. Bergman also reviews the appropriate uses and limitations of laboratory testing in reaching this serious, even potentially lethal, diagnosis. |
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| Webinar: Laboratory testing for RA diagnosis Following an overview of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Dr. Martin Bergman of Drexel University reviews the role of lab testing in diagnosing RA and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), monitoring disease activity and identifying medical toxicities. He also stresses the importance of lab screening prior to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) or biologic therapy. |
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| Clinical Focus: Arthritis laboratory markers This paper discusses the various tests for differentiating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from osteoarthritis and other conditions. It covers criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis in different joints; testing that supports RA diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up; and reactivity of rheumatoid factor (RF), cyclic citrullinated antibody (CCP Ab) and 14-3-3 eta assays in various disorders. |
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| Disease Awareness Fact Sheet: Read about the common symptoms of rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic (PsA) arthritis and, given that joint damage is irreversible, the vital importance of early diagnosis and treatment. This fact sheet also covers the various tests available and how to interpret results. |
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| Expert Insights Newsletter: Arthritis: Dr. Martin Bergman, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, reviews the role of laboratory testing in diagnosis, screening and monitoring drug toxicity. |
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| Webcast: ANA—The misunderstood lab test Dr. Martin Bergman, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, discusses what he calls the “misunderstood” family of ANA tests for autoimmune diseases and reviews guidelines for when ANA testing is (or is not) appropriate. |
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| Test Guide: Diagnosing rheumatic disorders ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) immunofluorescence assay (IFA), the gold standard recommended by the American College of Rheumatology for screening rheumatic disorders and the most comprehensive approach to diagnosing rheumatic diseases. Other specific antibody tests include immunoassay methods such as multiplex and ELISA. This guide includes a table of guidelines for testing and interpretation, plus a useful testing algorithm. |
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| CME Webcast: Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Dr. Martin J. Bergman of Drexel University discusses the current epidemiology and statistics surrounding rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dr. Bergman also reviews the appropriate uses and limitations of laboratory testing in reaching this serious, even potentially lethal, diagnosis. |
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| Lecture: New arthritis biomarkers mean new hope Dr. Martin Bergman of Drexel University discusses new biomarkers that can help distinguish osteoarthritis (OA), a common arthritic disorder, from rheumatoid arthritis, a rarer and far more serious form of the disease. Because rapid and aggressive therapy is necessary to reduce disease activity and prevent joint deformity, it’s absolutely vital that RA be diagnosed accurately |
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| Expert Insights Newsletter: According to Dr. Martin Bergman, early detection of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) makes it far easier to control the disease and improve outcomes. In this issue of Expert Insights, Dr. Bergman reviews the protocol for diagnosing and treating RA. He also looks to new and emerging biologic markers that could lead to more effective diagnoses and treatment recommendations. |
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| Insights from our arthritis and autoimmune expert In this article, Stanley J. Naides, MD, discusses the need for new biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), currently available blood tests, and the clinical gap. Dr. Naides educates on a breakthrough biomarker, 14-3-3 eta, and reviews its pathogenetic mechanism and the scientific basis for its use as a diagnostic test, as well as its ability to differentiate Osteoarthritis (OA) and other inflammatory diseases. |
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| CME Video: The search for an optimal RA biomarker The panelists discuss the need for an “ideal” biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis, one that would aid in diagnosis and correlate with disease activity and/or progression. The focus is 14-3-3 eta, a complement to CCP (ACPA*) and RF that could potentially predict both future clinical phenotypes and possibly structural damage. |
| | Webinar: Comparing arthritis biomarkers Dr. Walter Maksymowych of the University of Alberta compares rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). He discusses the antibodies commonly used to differentiate the two diseases, RF and anti-CCP antibodies, and how some of their limitations can be overcome by the new 14-3-3 eta biomarker. |
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| Webinar: Introduction to the new Dr. Walter Maksymowych of the University of Alberta discusses the pathophysiology of 14-3-3 eta, an inflammatory mediator with diagnostic and prognostic value for rheumatoid arthritis. The webinar also reviews the clinical relevance of a new assay used to measure 14-3-3 eta. |
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| Research: 14-3-3 eta and the pathophysiology This 2014 article from Arthritis, Research & Therapy reviews a study of 14-3-3 eta, a protein isoform that regulates cellular signaling processes. The study finds that 14-3-3 eta induces factors known to contribute to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and indicates more severe disease in both early and established disease. |
| | Research Study: Understanding the This 2014 study from the Journal of Rheumatology assesses the utility of serum 14-3-3 eta, a novel joint-derived proinflammatory mediator, in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the study, serum 14-3-3 eta successfully differentiated RA patients from healthy individuals and all controls. |
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| Disease Awareness Newsletter: Arthritis primer This fact sheet reviews common symptoms of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. It lays out a strategy for early diagnosis, which is considered crucial for slowing or even halting disease progression. You’ll also learn about 14-3-3 eta, a protein for differentiating RA from other autoimmune disorders with similar symptoms. |
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| Expert Insights Newsletter: This article by Dr. Maksymowych discusses the challenge of diagnosing arthritis early and citing shortcomings in both testing and clinician training. Following a review of current diagnostic options, the article introduces a new clinical tool based on a protein, 14-3-3 eta, that has been associated with various inflammatory processes relevant to rheumatoid arthritis. |
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| Clinicians can use this simple algorithm to help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can also determine whether an IBD diagnosis is differentiated from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. |
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| Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is usually diagnosed on the basis of clinical, radiographic, endoscopic and histologic findings. This menu lists the tests useful in making an IBD differential diagnosis. |
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| Guide: Rheumatology ICD-10 Crosswalk ICD diagnosis codes for rheumatology changed in October 2015. This quick reference chart shows the new ICD-10 codes, code mapping and guidelines for the most common diagnoses in rheumatology. |
Support organizations
The organizations below serve patients with various autoimmune diseases, their families and friends, and the medical professionals responsible for their care. You’ll find educational material, information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, FAQs, scientific data and tips on getting involved locally, plus a host of other helpful tools and resources.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
American College of Rheumatology
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)
Sjorgren’s Syndrome Foundation
* ACPA is the European version of CCP