The ANA test identifies autoantibodies that target substances contained in the nucleus of cells. Symptoms of autoimmune and connective tissue disorders vary from patient to patient and may be difficult to diagnose. A positive ANA test, by itself, does not establish a diagnosis. However, when considered in combination with an individual's symptoms, a thorough physical examination and other laboratory testing, a positive test result may help to establish a diagnosis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain in the back, neck, and sometimes the hips. The spine is composed of multiple separate bones known as vertebrae. "Ankylosing" means joining together, and refers to inflexible vertebrae; "spondylitis" means inflammation of the vertebrae.

Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. The inflammation can affect any of the important structures inside a joint, including the joint lining (synovium), bones, cartilage, or supporting tissues. Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling of the joint. The condition may affect only one or several joints throughout the body.
Arthritis has many possible causes, although some are much more common than others. Some types of arthritis respond well to treatment and resolve without any lingering effects, whereas other types are more difficult to control and can be disabling.

Low back pain is one of the most common disorders in the United States. About 80 percent of people have at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime.
Factors that increase the risk of developing low back pain include smoking, obesity, older age, female gender, physically strenuous work, sedentary work, a stressful job, job dissatisfaction, and psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.

A bursa is a sac-like structure that protects soft tissues from injuries that could be caused by pressure from nearby bones. Each bursa produces a lubricating fluid that fills the sac and decreases friction between bones, tendons and ligaments.
Bursae are located throughout the body. However, certain joints are more subject to increased pressure and repetitive use and thus are more likely to develop bursitis – an inflamed, irritated bursa. These joints include the shoulders, elbows, knees and feet. Bursa near the hip joint, particularly those on the outer side of the hip and those in the lower buttocks (that are subjected to pressure from sitting) are also prone to bursitis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to the complex of symptoms and signs brought on by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist and hand (carpal tunnel). Patients commonly experience pain, numbness, and less commonly, weakness. Treatments may include wearing a brace that keeps the wrist and arm in a neutral position, medication to reduce inflammation, or surgery.

Colitis is a disease in which the large intestine (colon) becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores. In people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the body sometimes mistakenly attacks food, bacteria and other substances in the intestine, sending fighting white blood cells which ultimately produce the inflammation and sores (ulcers).  Symptoms may include urgent, loose stool, bloody stool, persistent diarrhea with abdominal pain, or painful abdominal cramps. Symptoms may come and go.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of any portion of the GI tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and fever. Some people with Crohn's disease also have problems outside of the digestive tract, including a skin rash, joint pain, eye redness, and, less commonly, liver problems. Chrohn’s is often associated with fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms may come and go.
Crohn's disease has no cure, but medicines can help to keep the disease under control. If medicine does not control symptoms, surgery might be an option to remove the diseased part of the colon.

Fibromyalgia is one of a group of chronic pain disorders that affect connective tissues, including the muscles, ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that bind together the ends of bones), and tendons (which attach muscles to bones). It is a chronic condition that causes widespread muscle pain, "myalgia," and excessive tenderness in many areas of the body. Many patients also experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, and mood disturbances, such as depression and anxiety. Despite ongoing research, the cause, diagnosis, and optimal treatment of fibromyalgia are not clear.

Gout is a painful and debilitating condition that develops in some people who have chronically high blood levels of uric acid. Not everyone with high blood uric acid levels develops gout; up to two-thirds of individuals with elevated uric acid never develop symptoms. It is unclear why some people with elevated uric acid develop gout while others do not.
Although the joints are the most commonly affected part of the body, other parts of the body can also be affected. Uric acid or “urate crystals” can be deposited in the kidney or urinary tract, causing kidney stones and occasionally impairing kidney function.

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, but commonly affects the kidneys, skin, joints, brain, heart or lungs. In people with lupus, the body cannot distinguish between healthy tissues and invaders, and attacks them all. Symptoms come and go, and may include hair loss, chest pain, unexplained fever, sensitivity to sunlight, a “butterfly” rash on the cheeks and nose that worsens in sunlight, joint pain and extreme fatigue, as well as other symptoms depending on the body part affected (headaches, painful cough, swollen hands or feet, etc.).
Although there is no cure for lupus, treatments can minimize symptoms and arrest serious organ damage.  Treatments are very much tailored to the individual and his or her specific problems, and can include anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids to treat rashes and suppress the immune system response, and drugs that block cell growth in serious cases.

Neck pain can be caused by a number of factors, including muscle strain, ligament sprains, arthritis or a damaged, or "pinched," nerve. Approximately 10 percent of adults have neck pain at any one time.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of arthritis in which there is a gradual loss of cartilage from the joints. Common osteoarthritis symptoms include pain, stiffness, some loss of joint motion, and changes in the shape of affected joints. Although OA can affect almost any joint, it most often affects the hands, knees, hips and spine.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that gradually worsens over time; however, several measures may slow its progression and control symptoms.

Osteoporosis is a common problem that causes bones to become abnormally thin, weakened and easily broken (fractured). Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis after menopause due to lower levels of estrogen, a female hormone that helps to maintain bone mass.
Fortunately, preventive treatments can help to maintain or increase bone density. For those already affected by osteoporosis, prompt diagnosis of bone loss and assessment of fracture risk are essential because therapies are available that can slow further loss of bone or increase bone density.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling in people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of thick, inflamed red skin that are often covered with silvery scales.
Psoriatic arthritis affects men and women equally. Most people who develop psoriatic arthritis have skin symptoms of psoriasis first, followed by arthritis symptoms. However, in about 15 percent of cases, symptoms of arthritis are noticed before psoriasis appears. In another 15 percent of cases, psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed at the same time as psoriasis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms develop gradually, and may include joint pain, stiffness and swelling. The condition can affect many tissues throughout the body, but the joints are usually most severely affected. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown.

Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon. Tendinitis injuries are common in arms and legs, including the rotator cuff in the shoulder. They are less common in the torso and hips. Severity and frequency of tendinitis varies by individual. The condition is generally associated with a particular exercise or overuse of a body part. For example, “tennis elbow” is tendinitis in the elbow, often caused by repeated stress to the elbow such as is endured by a frequent tennis player.