What is Rheumatoid factor?

Answer 1

Rheumatoid Factor Results are usually reported in one of two ways:

• Less than 40-60 u/mL
• Less than 1:80 (1 to 80) titer

A low number usually means you don't have rheumatoid Arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Answer 2

Rheumatoid factor (RF or RhF) antibody directed against an organism's own tissues) most relevant in rheumatoid-arthritis. It is an antibody against the Fc portion of immunoglobulin-g-1, which is itself an antibody. RF and IgG join to form immune-complex-1 which contribute to the disease process. About 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have detectable rheumatoid factor. Those who do not are said to be "seronegative".

Rheumatoid factor can also be a cryoglobulinemia-1 (antibody that precipitates on cooling of a blood sample); it can be either type 2 (monoclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG) or 3 (polyclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG)

RF is often evaluated in patients suspected of having any form of arthritis even though positive results can be due to other causes, and negative results do not rule out disease. But, in combination with signs and symptom, it can play a role in both diagnosis and disease prognosis. It is part of the usual disease criteria of rheumatoid arthritis.

The presence of rheumatoid factor in serum can also indicate the occurrence of suspected autoimmune activity unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis, such as that associated with tissue or organ rejection. In such instances, RF may serve as one of serology markers for autoimmunity. (source wikipedia)

Answer 3

High levels RF (generally above 20 IU/mL, 1:40 or over the 95th percentile there is some variation among labs) are indicative of rheumatoid arthritis (present in 80%) and Sjögren's syndrome (present in almost 100%). The higher the levels of RF the higher the possibility of a more destructive articular disease.

(source Wikipedia)

Answer 4

Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that can be found in the immune system that can mistakenly turn on some of the tissues like connective tissues of the body. If a person seems to be suffering from multiple joint problems a rheumatoid factor check is often done in an effort to diagnose illnesses such as Rheumatoid arthritis. A high Rheumatoid factor may indicate rheumatoid arthritis if it coincides with certain other symptoms.

Answer 5

Results are usually reported in one of two ways: * Less than 40-60 u/mL * Less than 1:80 (1 to 80) titer

A low number (normal result) usually means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

[[Q/What does a rheumatoid factor of 10.4 mean&action=edit|Improve answer]]

Answer 6

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is the autoantibody (antibody directed against an organism's own tissues) that is most relevant in rheumatoid arthritis. It is defined as an antibody against the Fc portion of IgG. RF and IgG join to form immune complexes that contribute to the disease process

Rheumatoid factor can also be a cryoglobulin (antibody that precipitates on cooling of a blood sample); it can be either type 2 (monoclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG) or type 3 (polyclonal IgM to polyclonal IgG) cryoglobulin.

Rheumatoid factor can be of either isotype of immunoglobulins, i.e. IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IgD.

Testing

RF is often evaluated in patients suspected of having any form of arthritis even though positive results can be due to other causes, and negative results do not rule out disease. But, in combination with signs and symptoms, it can play a role in both diagnosis and disease prognosis. It is part of the usual disease criteria of rheumatoid arthritis.

The presence of rheumatoid factor in serum can also indicate the occurrence of suspected autoimmune activity unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis, such as that associated with tissue or organ rejection. In such instances, RF may serve as one of several serological markers for autoimmunity.

Interpretation

High levels of rheumatoid factor (in general, above 20 IU/mL, 1:40, or over the 95th percentile; there is some variation among labs) occur in rheumatoid arthritis (present in 80%) and Sjögren's syndrome (present in 70%).The higher the level of RF the greater the probability of destructive articular disease It is also found in Epstein-Barr virus or Parvovirus infection and in 5-10% of healthy persons, especially the elderly.

There is an association between rheumatoid factor and more persistently active synovitis, more joint damage and greater eventual disability.

Rheumatoid factor may also be elevated in: chronic hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, any chronic viral infection, bacterial endocarditis, leukemia, dermatomyositis, infectious mononucleosis, systemic sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE

History

The test was first described by Norwegian Dr Erik Waaler in 1940 and redescribed by Dr H.M. Rose and colleagues in 1948. Redescription is said to be due to the uncertainties due to World War II. It is still referred to as the Waaler-Rose test

Answer 7

A rheumatoid factor more than 23 units and a titer more than 1:80 is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis but may also occur in other conditions.

False positive results can occur when the blood is high in fats.

Inaccurate results can be caused by improper handling of the blood specimen.

A negative test result for rheumatoid factor does not exclude the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Answer 8

Normal values are LESS than 60 U/ml.