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Just for some context, patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatological disease are commonly screened with a rheumatoid factor (RF) test within a hospital. To answer your question, a very recent meta-analysis of the RF test (see related link) found that it was about 69% sensitive and 85% specific.

The RF test is sensitive however it is nonspecific. Rheumatoid factor is usually associated with rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) but may also be involved in a number of autoimmune diseases, including Sjögrens syndrome,i some and viral infections, and is also found in a small percentage of healthy people.

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Q: Is rheumatoid factor a sensitive test?
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Related questions

Does Prednisone affect a rheumatoid factor test?

No.


What is the purpose of the rheumatoid arthritis factor test?

The rheumatoid factor test is a commonly ordered laboratory test to help rheumatologists diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To conduct the test, a blood sample is collected from a vein using a needle. The sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. The lab will examine the blood to measure the rheumatoid factor, which is a protein produced by the immune system that can attack healthy tissues in a person’s body. High levels of rheumatoid factor can often be a good indicator of an RA diagnosis. In fact, seventy to ninety percent of people who are diagnosed with RA have a positive rheumatoid factor test. If a diagnosis of RA is in fact confirmed, the amount of rheumatoid factor in the patient’s blood may also help their doctor choose an appropriate treatment approach. However, although the rheumatoid factor test is a very useful diagnostic tool, it is important to remember that it is not conclusive of an RA diagnosis. Rheumatoid factor can be found in the blood samples of people without rheumatoid arthritis or in the samples from people who have different autoimmune conditions. It is also possible for someone who does have RA to have no rheumatoid factor present, particularly in the early stages of arthritis, although these cases of RA are generally less severe. Unfortunately there is no single test that can be used to confirm a diagnosis of RA. Instead, rheumatologists must rely on a combination of medical history, clinical exams, and various test results, including the rheumatoid factor test, to confirm a diagnosis of RA.


When reading lab results for Rheumatoid factor -5.0?

A rheumatoid factor over 23 units and a titer over 1:80 indicates rheumatoid arthritis, However this may also occur in other conditions.False positive results can occur when the blood is high in fats.A negative test result for rheumatoid factor does not exclude the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.


What test are ordered to monitor rheumatoid arthritis?

blood tests for inflammation and Rheumatoid factor. And progresive exrays to judge the progress of damage cause by the disease.


Can you have rheumatoid arthritis with a rheumatoid factor of 20?

Yes, as a matter of fact you can have RA with no rheumatoid factor at all.


If your Rheumatoid factor is lower than the previous blood test what does this mean?

This is not known as the cause of it is unknown as well as the relationship between RF and the activity of the disease.


What brings about rheumatoid factor?

At this stage the reason for rheumatoid factor is still unknown.


Other associated names for rheumatoid factor?

It seems that rheumatoid factor is the only name that is used for it.


What substance is found in the bllod of a person with rheumatoid artritis?

there is no particular substance found in the blood of RA sufferers that are exclusive to RA. However test are done to judge inflammation and rheumatoid factor.


What do you mean by Rheumatoid arthritis factor?

Rheumatoid factor (RF or RhF) is an antibody that attacs an organism's own tissue. omos often found in 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 (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)


What are routine blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes. A blood test can be done for what is known as rheumatoid factor that along with x rays of joints soon put together a picture. It should be kept in mind however that the rheumatoid factor can reduce significantly at times. Also, while RF is present in about 80% of RA cases People with no RF can also be afflicted with this disease.


Can you have a positive rheumatoid arthritis test and not be symptomatic?

Yes There is no specific test that will indicate that you have Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When there is a suspicion that you may suffer from this disease one of the tests done is a test for Rheumatoid factor(RF). About 90% of people that have RA also have an elevated RF. However having a positive or elevated RF does not necessarily mean you are at present suffering from RA.