At-Home RA Test Could Be a Quicker Path to Treatment
One of the biggest challenges in having rheumatoid arthritis is simply getting diagnosed. In my new article for HealthCentral, I look at the pros and cons of a new at-home diagnostic test for RA:
“Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience difficulties in getting a diagnosis. The lag between first appearance of symptoms and the time of diagnosis ranges from a few months to more than 10 years, which can lead to permanent joint damage. A new at-home blood test aims to help people with RA get diagnosed as quickly as possible, but is it a reliable method?
The co-founder of the company that sells the only direct-to-consumer at-home test currently on the market explains how the test works, while a rheumatologist weighs in on the benefits and drawbacks of using it.
“We wanted to help the next generation” of people with RA, said Jani Tuomi during a phone interview with HealthCentral. Tuomi is the co-founder of imaware™, the company behind the at-home RA screening test, as well as a test for celiac disease. Tuomi explained that a person interested in purchasing the test would first be interviewed over the phone regarding possible RA symptoms, then they would send a few drops of blood to the company for analysis. The results would be accompanied by a report for both the individual and their doctor. There is also follow-up from the company.”
Read more about the imaware™ rheumatoid arthritis test on HealthCentral.
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I dont know. It says they supply their own doctors orders for all tests. In Indiana a doctors order is required to get insurance to pay for it which is currently an HSA/FSA reimbursement at present. I think this will lead to self diagnosis either as having RA or not. I think the best idea is to see a rheumatologist get the blood work done in a lab or using this method if the doctor agrees to use it (I doubt doctors in Indiana will at present) and proceed as usual.
I disagree that this will speed up diagnosis, unless it is self diagnosis and frankly self diagnosis is worth the lab order it is written on. Not a lot I am afraid.
I have some reservations, as well, but some of them were cleared up in my talk with the co-founder. First, if people need this covered by insurance, the doctors involved in this company will provide the order so the person will not be out of pocket. Secondly, we know that a lot of people get stalled at the PCP level, especially those who are seronegative. The report for the doctor is written in “Doctor language,” with the information about sero-negativity (if that’s a word), which serves as a gentle form of education for PCPs who don’t know. I do believe that any rheumatologist worth their salt would probably re-order the test, but the trick is to actually get to a rheumatologist. If your PCP refuses to give a referral, this is where I think this test can potentially be useful. I’ve also heard a lot of stories about PCPs refusing to test young women whose mothers have RA because they are “too young.” With what we know about anti-CCP and it being positive several years before you actually develop symptoms, there is a benefit for early identification so you can be monitored. If your PCP doesn’t know it, it could potentially interfere with an early diagnosis and all the benefits inherent in that.