PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR ISOTYPES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY

摘要

The levels of the IgA and IgM isotypes of rheumatoid factor (RF) in the blood of an individual afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis have been found to correlate with prognosis for the course of the disease. Those individuals showing above normal levels of IgA RF proceeded to a severe disease state with the appearance of bone erosions while those showing above normal levels of IgM RF did not proceed to such a severe state. Furthermore, disease activity in such individuals has been found to correlate with fluctuations in the level of IgA RF in the blood.