Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints. It is caused when lymphocytes in the synovial membranes produce abnormal IgG antibodies. Rheumatoid factors are autoantibodies of a patients own IgG and IgM that react with the Fc component of the abnormal synovial antigenic IgG to form immune complexes. These immune complexes activate the complement system and other inflammatory systems to cause joint damage.
Rheumatoid factor plays a role in diagnosis of RA and also can serve as a prognostic indicator. High RF concentrations have been associated with a more severe disease course.
Protein Lab
RHF
RF
RHF
5 days
6818