* Patient history and physical examination. There is no specific diagnostic test for rheumatoid arthritis; long-term observation of joint changes may be necessary for definitive diagnosis.

* Blood tests for autoimmune rheumatoid factors; anemia may be found in almost half of patients. The white blood cell count is usually normal, but may be high (in active inflammation) or low (in the variant called Felty's syndrome).

* X-rays of the affected joints.

* Synovial fluid analysis. Under local anesthetic, synovial fluid is drawn from the affected joint.