But studies have also shown that in some patient cases, the progression is comparable and sometimes is there is little difference. It is thought that seropositive patients experience a more severe disease course than seronegative patients. However, many patients see these symptoms evolve and change over time. If we compare these symptoms to seropositive rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, there are many similarities. Though this is not an exhaustive list, the majority of these will support a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes.Symmetrical symptoms and in multiple joints.Joint pain, stiffness specifically in the hands but also in knees, elbows, hips, feet and ankles.Some of the most important symptoms in diagnosing seronegative rheumatoid arthritis include: This is because the lack of antibodies in the blood makes it more difficult to reach a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients must possess a distinct set of symptoms in order to be diagnosed. Symptoms of Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Many seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients go on to develop antibodies years after their initial diagnosis, which then changes their diagnosis to seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the many reasons that a patient can still be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis even if they are seronegative. In other words, seronegative patients may also simply possess extremely low levels of the antibodies – not enough for the test to detect. The term seronegative means they don’t possess the antibodies that seropositive patients do. When a patient tests negative for RF and anti-CCP antibodies, yet they still display strong symptoms consistent with rheumatoid arthritis, they are given a diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis? These patients tend to have a more severe disease course with more joint deformities, x-ray damage, disability and inflammation outside of the joints. These indicate that the patient is seropositive and that they possess the antibodies that cause an attack on joints and lead to inflammation. In most cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the patient tests positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-citrullinated peptides (CPP) antibodies. It is one of two main types of rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis without the presence of certain antibodies in the patient’s blood. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 2008 from UT Health San Antonio, Surgeon at TRACC DallasĤ min read Seronegative RA: What are the Symptoms of Seronegative RA?

Rh factor positive means