Labs and Diagnostics

Bilateral knee x-ray finding: Osteophyte formation joint space

narrowing subchondral and cyst.
Impression: Osteo arthritis of both knee joints.
Examination Result Units Reference Significance
Value
Rheumatoid 14,000WBC mm3 0.0 – 14.0 Normal
Factor
Comprehensiv 19.2 mh/dl
e Metabolic
Panel (CMP)
Erythrocyte 53 mm/hr 0-22 Increased
Sedimentation mm/hr
Rate (ESR) (men)
0-29
mm/hr
(women)

1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that

primarily affects the joints, but can affect other parts of the body.
Diagnosing and managing RA involves clinical evaluation by a
rheumatologist, as well as several different laboratory tests that
require blood work. The results of these tests may be used in two
ways:

 To confirm the presence of the RA.

 To determine how active the disease is.
The immune system is an organized method through which the body
fights off infections caused by bacteria, viruses and other organisms.
A normal immune response to infection often involves the
production of proteins such as antibodies to kill these invading
organisms.
Rheumatoid factor is one of many antibodies that are known to
attack healthy tissue through an autoimmune process. When
triggered, rheumatoid factor antibodies attack the healthy tissue
resulting in a variety of symptoms.

Correlation: Test was undergone to check if the patient is suffering

Rheumatoid Arthritis. RF is known to attack healthy tissues which
causes the ailment.

2. A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a blood sample test

that measures 14 different substances in blood. It provides
important information about a person’s body chemical balance
and metabolism.

A CMP also measures the four electrolytes. These electrolytes in

blood control nerve and muscle function and maintain the acid-
base balance (pH balance) of blood and water balance.

Correlation: ?

3. An Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a type of blood test

that measures how quickly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle at
the bottom of a test tube that contains a blood sample. Normally,
red blood cells settle relatively slowly. A faster-than-normal rate
may indicate inflammation in the body. Inflammation is part of
the immune response system. It can be a reaction to an infection
or injury. Inflammation may also be a sign of a chronic disease, an
immune disorder, or other medical condition.

Correlation: The test was given to check the patient’s RBC,

whether there is an inflammation or not. Inflammation is present
when there is infection or injury as this is the immune system’s
way of saying that there is an anomaly in the body. Seeing the
increased results of the test further confirms that the patient is
suffering an ailment which leads us to arthritis.