From the Guidelines
Blood tests for toe pathology, possibly chilblains or infection, should include C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to detect inflammation, as these markers have been found to be significantly higher in infected than noninfected cases 1. When diagnosing toe pathology, it is essential to consider the potential for infection or inflammation.
- A complete blood count (CBC) may also be useful to check for elevated white blood cells, although its correlation with infection severity has been found to be poor 1.
- Blood cultures may be ordered if infection is suspected, to identify any bacteria in the bloodstream.
- Other tests, such as uric acid levels, may be considered to rule out conditions like gout. Key points to consider when interpreting blood test results include:
- CRP levels tend to rise more quickly with infection and fall more quickly with resolution, making it a useful marker for diagnosis 1.
- ESR values can be affected by comorbidities and may not be elevated in acute infections, but a highly elevated ESR (≥70 mm/h) has been found to have good sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis 1.
- Inflammatory biomarkers should be used in conjunction with clinical assessment, as their limited specificity and sensitivity make them less reliable as sole diagnostic tools 1.
From the Research
Blood Tests for Toe Pathology Diagnosis
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question as the provided studies focus on rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and do not mention toe pathology, chilblains, or infection.
Relevant Blood Tests for Inflammatory Conditions
However, some blood tests mentioned in the studies may be relevant for inflammatory conditions:
- Complete blood count (CBC) 2
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 2, 3, 4, 5
- C-reactive protein (CRP) 2, 3, 4, 5
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs) 2, 4, 5, 6
- Anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies 3
- Serum 14-3-3η 2
- Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) 5
Notes
These blood tests are not specifically indicated for toe pathology, chilblains, or infection diagnosis, but rather for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.