Rheumatoid factor - serum
Last updated: Monday, 12, June, 2006
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in plain tube. |
| Method | Nephelometry; turbidimetry. Agglutination of gamma globulin-coated latex particles or erythrocytes. |
| Reference Interval | <30 IU/L. |
| Application | Diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Also positive in other chronic inflammatory conditions and immune complex diseases. |
| Interpretation | Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and positive rheumatoid factor tend to have more aggressive articular disease and are at greater risk of extra-articular complications. |
| Reference | Newkirk MM. J Rheumatol 2002; 29(10): 2034-2040. |