The rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis tests market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic test market owing to the cancellations of elective diagnostic procedures during the early period of the pandemic. For instance, according to an article published in November 2022, a study conducted by Kings College London observed that the number of patients receiving their rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis fell by 20% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 was also reported to be associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in some patients. However, the upliftment of diagnostic test restrictions and rising research studies regarding the impact of COVID-19 on RA have helped in the recovery of market growth in the last two years. The impact of new variants of COVID-19 on the rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic test is negligible in the current scenario. The market is expected to grow stable during the forecast period.
The studied market is driven by the increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, favorable health reimbursement, and increased awareness. For instance, an article published in the Journal of Translational Autoimmunity in January 2022 mentioned that the measurement of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in serum supports the diagnosis of RA, which has gained significance over time. Therefore, the use of diagnostic tests is expected to increase during the forecast period.
Furthermore, strategic initiatives adopted by market players, such as launches, approvals, partnerships, and acquisitions to expand the RA diagnostic test offerings, significantly contribute to the market growth. For instance, in September 2021, Laboratory Corporation (LabCorp LH), United States, acquired Myriad Genetics' MYGN autoimmune business unit, including the Vectra rheumatoid arthritis (RA) assay. Vectra is a blood-based, non-invasive test to assess the severity of rheumatoid arthritis disease and the effectiveness of existing treatments. It can also predict the chance of joint deterioration in the future. Such acquisitions are expected to strengthen the company's RA diagnostic test market position and propel the market growth during the forecast period.
Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, such as the high burden of RA and acquisitions to expand the diagnostic test offerings for RA, the studied market is anticipated to witness growth over the analysis period. However, the non-reliance on rheumatoid arthritis testing measures restrains the market growth.
Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) tests detect and diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The human immune system creates antibodies called anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptides. People who test positive for anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptides are more prone to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The segment is expected to grow due to the rising demand for anti-CCP, rising awareness initiatives, and the high prevalence of smoking and obesity.
According to an article published in the Journal of International Medical Research Central in September 2021, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and rheumatoid factor combined detection improve the diagnostic efficiency of rheumatoid arthritis. The study gave more scope to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by anti-CCP test, which is expected to increase the segment's growth during the forecast period.
Furthermore, the segment is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the rising awareness initiatives and the high prevalence of smoking and obesity. For instance, in February 2023, on the global rheumatoid arthritis awareness day, an Indian doctor stated that smoking and obesity are critical factors for developing RA. During the awareness month, webinars across the world are conducted to educate people about the disease and conduct early diagnostic tests. Also, as per an article published in the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation in March 2021, the overall prevalence of smoking tobacco use in India is 10.38%. Such initiatives and the high burden of such diseases are expected to propel the segment's growth during the forecast period.
In addition, the high research spending for rheumatoid arthritis is expected to develop innovative anti-CCP tests for early diagnosis, thereby accelerating the segment growth significantly over the forecast period. Thus, the abovementioned factors, such as increasing awareness about diagnostic tests and their efficacy, are driving the growth of the market segment.
North America is expected to hold a significant market share owing to factors such as the high burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), high research and development (R&D) spending, and the high concentration of market players in the region.
In addition, the rising awareness by government and non-government organizations is expected to boost the diagnostics of RA in the region. For instance, in February 2023, rheumatoid arthritis awareness day was celebrated in the nation and was organized by the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation (RAF). To raise awareness of this common condition, RA Awareness Day is held annually on February 2nd. Therefore, the awareness initiatives and events organized by such foundations are expected to educate people regarding the disease, which is expected to boost RA diagnostics, thereby propelling market growth in the region.
Furthermore, according to the National Institute of Health, Estimates of Funding for Various Research, Condition, and Disease Categories (RCDC), May 2022 update, the spending on R&D in the United States for rheumatoid arthritis was USD 93 million in 2021. Also, in January 2023, Arthritis Society Canada awarded eight grants and awards to expedite arthritis research, which also included a funded rheumatoid arthritis project. The grant provided by the government for the research of rheumatoid arthritis is expected to create opportunities for market players to develop an innovative diagnostic test that is further expected to propel market growth in the upcoming years.
Therefore, owing to the above-mentioned factors, such as the high burden of RA rising awareness initiatives and rising R&D spending for the development of innovative RA diagnostics, the growth of the studied market is anticipated in the North American Region.
The rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis tests market is moderately competitive in nature due to the presence of several companies operating globally as well as regionally. Some market players are Abbott Laboratories, Augurex Life Sciences Corp., Siemens Healthineers AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Danaher Corporation (Beckman Coulter), Tulip Diagnostics (P) Ltd, Boditech Med Inc., and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
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