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33% will have signs and symptoms that go away.33% will later be diagnosed with another disease, such as reactive arthritis.33% will later be diagnosed with RA (signs and symptoms get worse).Of those diagnosed with undifferentiated arthritis 1: If a person does not meet the diagnostic criteria for RA or another disease, they may be diagnosed with what doctors call undifferentiated arthritis. See Rheumatologist for Arthritis Treatment Undifferentiated Arthritis He or she will be familiar with the signs and symptoms of RA and similar diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and reactive arthritis. Physician Expertiseīecause diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging, experts recommend making an appointment with a rheumatologist or a physician who has a lot of experience with inflammatory arthritis. To help with this challenge, most physicians follow a set of clear guidelines and a point system. In addition, there is no single lab test that can positively diagnose RA. For example, one person may develop puffy, stiff wrist and finger joints over many months, while another person may develop fatigue, fever, and a severely inflamed knee almost overnight. RA signs and symptoms vary so much that the disease may be hard to recognize. A person may have multiple appointments with a primary care physician and specialists before a diagnosis is made. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging, though. The sooner rheumatoid arthritis is accurately diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be started to limit its effects.
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