Rheumatoid factor

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is the

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.^[7] The sensitivity of RF for established rheumatoid arthritis is only 60 to 70 percente with a specificity of 78 percent.^[8]

Rheumatoid factor is part of the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. RF positivity combines well with

There is an association between rheumatoid factor and more persistently active synovitis, more joint damage, greater eventual disability and arthritis.^[12][13]

Other than in rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid factor may also be elevated in other conditions, including:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)^[14][15]
• Sjögren syndrome^[14][15]
• Hepatitis B and C,^[16] herpes, HIV, and other viral infections^[15]
• Primary biliary cirrhosis^[15]
• Infectious mononucleosis and any chronic viral infection^[14]
• Leprosy^[17]
• Sarcoidosis^[14]
• Tuberculosis, syphilis and other chronic bacterial infections^[15]
• Visceral leishmaniasis^[18]
• Malaria and other parasitic infections^[15]
• Cancer^[15]

History

The test was first described by Norwegian Dr Erik Waaler in 1940 and redescribed by Dr Harry 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.^[19][20]

References