Researchers from Quest Diagnostics ($DGX) and elsewhere have identified a new biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis that could help with earlier diagnosis and treatment. The scientific team determined in a new study that testing for elevated blood-serum levels of the 14-3-3eta protein worked better than other RA diagnostic methods or tools including conventional antibody-serum testing in spotting the disease at the first stages of its progression. Earlier diagnosis of RA would enable clinicians to start treatment sooner, which can arrest the disease's advance and prevent further RA-related damage to the body. RA, an autoimmune disorder, causes systemic and joint inflammation, which can lead to intense pain, disability and death over time. Details are published in The Journal of Rheumatology. Release | Article