Enteropathic Arthritis

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DIAGNOSIS

Overview
A diagnosis of enteropathic arthritis is made through a complete medical examination including a history of symptoms and taking into account family history. Various tests may also be done to determine the presence of an inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory arthritis.

Medical Examination
Besides a full medical history of symptoms and taking into account family history, various tests may be performed:

• A stool culture may be taken if a diagnosis of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease has not yet been established.
  
  
• A colonoscopy with or without bowel biopsies may also be done.
  
  
• Blood tests may be done including an erythocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or SED Rate), which may help in detecting inflammation, a test to determine the presence of the HLA-B27 genetic marker, and/or a C-reactive protein, which is another test that may help detect the presence of inflammation in then body.
  
  
• Synovial fluid (fluid that lubricates the joints) may be taken from affected joints for study.
  
  
• X-rays of affected joints may be taken.