What are the laboratory test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is the nonspecific diagnostic indicator of the presence of inflammatory disease. It measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) from a client's blood sample settle at the bottom of a test tube. Normal erythrocytes settle slowly. A faster-than-normal rate indicates inflammation. A positive result can confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The normal reference range for ESR results is 1-13 mm/hr for males and 1-20 mm/hr for females.

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