Which laboratory findings are commonly used to monitor disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. ESR/CRP
• B. RF
• C. ACPA
• D. ANA

Answer: (A)

Tracking rheumatoid arthritis activity relies on markers that reflect current inflammation. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) rise when RA is active and fall with treatment, making them practical for following disease fluctuations over time. They’re commonly used in composite activity scores, like DAS28, which combine joint counts, patient/global assessments, and either ESR or CRP to quantify how active the disease is.

Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP (ACPA) antibodies are helpful for diagnosis and prognosis, but their levels don’t reliably track real-time inflammation or disease activity this moment—they can stay positive even when symptoms improve. ANA is not specific to RA and isn’t used to monitor RA activity.

So, ESR and CRP are the best choices for monitoring disease activity over time.