Joy, a 32-year-old hairdresser presents to the primary care…
Joy, a 32-year-old hairdresser presents to the primary care clinic with complaints of pain and stiffness in her hands. Seven months ago, Joy began noticing stiffness in both hands in the morning that is now lasting “longer and longer.” Stiffness now lasts more than 1 hour every morning and includes hands, wrists and ankles. She also has increasing difficulty standing for long periods at work or at home due to foot and ankle pain. She has been taking ibuprofen 800mg 3 times daily and finds it helps her get through her day with less pain and stiffness. Physical examination of all of Joy’s joints demonstrate that many of the joints in the hands and feet are tender, warm and swollen bilaterally. Which of the following tests is most specific to make the likely differential diagnosis for Joy?
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