Seronegative arthritis (SA) refers to a condition that affect to the spinal and peripheral joints of the body. This type of arthritis is just like common rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with specific difference including the absence of rheumatoid factor (Rf-factor). Seronegative arthritis is commonly affect to males this is not like rheumatoid arthritis whereas more frequent appear on female.
In fact, seronegative arthritis can prove to be problematic. This actually means that patients test negative when they are subjected to regular rheumatoid arthritis tests. This case can often lead to misdiagnosis which could potentially be dangerous to the patient. Doctors oftentimes refuse to diagnose a patient to be suffering from the said condition unless they are absolutely sure of it.
Seronegative arthritis comes with many conditions all of which related to rheumatoid arthritis but without Rf-factor. Including to the condition are enteropathic arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Whipple’s diseas, arthritis associated with pustular acne, undifferentiated seronegative arthritic, everal forms of HIV associated arthritis and ost-intestinal bypasses arthritis.
Seronegative arthritis symptoms
Seronegative arthritis can be misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as an early phase or less severe form of RA. In some cases seronegative can become RA positive, but it is still a distinct disease, not just early phase RA. It is also called RA negative arthritis. The medical community is seeking advanced techniques for diagnosing it, specifically MRI and ultrasonography. People with this condition will have similar symptoms with RA including chronic joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.
The treatments
The Treatment for SA is dependent on which condition has been diagnosed.
- Corticosteroidal drugs are not usually appropriate for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis conditions, since steroids often worse the condition of the patient’s skin.
- Psoriatic and enteropathic arthritis are frequently treated with the drugs hydroxychloroquine, sulphasalazine, and methotrexate.
- Joint surgery is sometimes performed on severely affected joints.
- The RA drugs Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade may also be used.