One motivating factor of the aforementioned study is the diagnostic difficulty in Seronegative RA patients. In fact, misdiagnosis is quite common in seronegative patients. Seronegative patients may display symptoms which can be mistaken as seropositive RA but are actually due to a different condition. One commonly confused condition is osteoarthritis where inflammation exists and is consistent. Varied levels of inflammation and affected joints can also indicated other conditions. They include conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
Researchers of the study believe that the missing antibodies in seronegative RA patients can cause physicians to misdiagnose patients with fibromyalgia, a musculoskeletal pain condition. In their study, researchers observed that fibromyalgia diagnosis occurred shortly before or after RA diagnosis. Hence, they believe there is a likelihood of diagnostic confusion before or after seronegative RA diagnosis.
In conclusion, this study warrants more research on seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. It is common knowledge that RA patients are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia. However, the reason why fibromyalgia co-exists more frequently in seronegative RA patients remains unclear.
Am so grateful to see there’s been so much research going on. Thank you for putting solid work behind those who suffer with all the negative connotations that go along with such diagnoses. Not only I but my sister, brother and some of my children as well as grandchildren suffer from all kinds of autoimmune diseases. Blessings be unto your work.