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Last updated Tuesday, January 04, 2005
What are the goals of laboratory tests on patients?
Laboratory tests are often used to evaluate patients with arthritis. These may help determine whether or not a patient has arthritis, and if so, what type; how well he or she is responding to treatment; and to make sure that no serious side effects are occurring.
Even aspirin, which often is the first medication used to treat many types of arthritis, and can be bought at the corner drugstore, can create serious side effects. Some of these side effects are more obvious than others. The more obvious side effects of aspirin and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may include ringing in the ears, easy bruising or bleeding, nausea, or vomiting. Other side effects, like kidney or liver damage, may not be as obvious.
How effective are lab tests on patients?
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