What Is an Arthritis Screen?
An arthritis screen is a panel of blood tests used to help diagnose and differentiate between different types of arthritis and autoimmune joint conditions. Rather than measuring a single biomarker, it combines several markers of inflammation, autoimmunity, and joint damage to build a comprehensive picture of what may be causing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling.
Arthritis affects over 10 million people in the UK. Early diagnosis is critical - particularly for inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis, where early treatment can prevent irreversible joint damage. A blood test alone cannot diagnose arthritis (imaging and clinical examination are also needed), but it provides essential clues to guide diagnosis and treatment.
What Does an Arthritis Screen Include?
A typical arthritis screen measures several key biomarkers:
| Marker | What It Measures | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Factor (RF) | Autoantibodies against IgG | Elevated in ~70% of rheumatoid arthritis patients |
| Anti-CCP (Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide) | Specific autoantibodies | Highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (>95% specificity) |
| CRP (C-Reactive Protein) | Acute-phase inflammatory marker | Elevated in active inflammation from any cause |
| ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) | Rate of red cell settling | Non-specific inflammation marker; slower to change than CRP |
| Uric Acid | Purine metabolism waste product | Elevated in gout - crystal arthritis |
| ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) | Autoantibodies against cell nuclei | Positive in lupus, Sjögren's, and other connective tissue diseases |
Why Get an Arthritis Screen?
- Investigate persistent joint pain, stiffness, or swelling lasting more than 6 weeks
- Differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and other causes of joint pain
- Detect autoimmune arthritis early - rheumatoid arthritis causes most damage in the first 2 years
- Monitor disease activity in diagnosed inflammatory arthritis
- Assess response to treatment (disease-modifying drugs, biologics)
- Investigate systemic symptoms alongside joint pain: fatigue, weight loss, rashes, or dry eyes
Understanding Your Results
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Normal: Below 20 IU/mL. Elevated RF supports a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis but is not conclusive alone - 5–10% of healthy people are RF-positive, and 30% of RA patients are RF-negative (seronegative RA).
Anti-CCP Antibodies
Normal: Below 20 U/mL. Anti-CCP is the most specific blood marker for rheumatoid arthritis. A positive result, even with normal RF, strongly suggests RA. Anti-CCP can appear years before symptoms develop.
CRP and ESR
Normal CRP: Below 5 mg/L. Normal ESR: Varies by age and sex (roughly age/2 for men, (age+10)/2 for women). Elevated CRP and ESR indicate active inflammation but do not specify the cause.
Uric Acid
Normal: 200–430 µmol/L (men), 140–360 µmol/L (women). Elevated uric acid with acute joint pain (especially the big toe) strongly suggests gout.
ANA
Normal: Negative or titre below 1:80. Positive ANA may indicate lupus, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, or mixed connective tissue disease - but 5–15% of healthy people are ANA-positive.
Types of Arthritis and Their Blood Test Patterns
| Type | RF | Anti-CCP | CRP/ESR | Uric Acid | ANA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Often + | Often + | Elevated | Normal | May be + |
| Osteoarthritis | Normal | Normal | Normal/mild | Normal | Normal |
| Gout | Normal | Normal | Elevated (flare) | Elevated | Normal |
| Lupus (SLE) | May be + | Usually - | Elevated | Normal | Strongly + |
| Psoriatic arthritis | Usually - | Usually - | Elevated | May be elevated | Usually - |
When Should You Get Tested?
- You have persistent joint pain or stiffness lasting more than 6 weeks
- Your joints are swollen, warm, or red — especially in the hands, wrists, or feet
- You experience morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Joint symptoms are accompanied by fatigue, weight loss, or general malaise
- You have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune conditions
- You have had an acute gout flare and want to monitor uric acid levels
Check Your Arthritis Screen Levels at Home
The Peak Insights 70 includes Arthritis Screen testing along with 69 other biomarkers. Results in 2 working days with a free at-home phlebotomist visit.
View Peak Insights 70 →Which Lola Health Tests Include an Arthritis Screen?
- Peak Insights — includes inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), uric acid, and rheumatoid factor
Check for Arthritis Markers
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