Rheumatoid factors isotypes as markers of disease activity in seronegative rheumatoid patients

الملخص EN

Rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes of 30 seronegative RA patients were measured using an enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA).

The clinical parameters were reviewed with particular note of the disease activity and the extra-articular manifestations.

Among this group of patients, those positive for IgMRF, IgGRF and IgARF by ELISA were 15 / 30 (50 %), 14 / 30 (47 %) and 4 / 30 (13 %) respectively.

IgMRRF and IgGRF correlated with disease activity but not IgARF.

Also IgGRF and IgARF correlated with extra-articular manifestations but not IgMRF.

Our findings support the contention that the measurement of IgM, IgG and IgARF in RA will give valuable information on the severity of the disease that may be useful for the optimum clinical management of the disease.