Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a somewhat
common auto-immune disorder that causes uncomfortable swelling and stiffness in
the joints. Diagnosis of RA can be a time-consuming process due to symptomatic
similarities between RA and number of other conditions including Lupus and
Fibromyalgia. Once diagnosed however, it is possible to treat the disease in a
way that will vastly improve the quality of life of the patient over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis factor is a special
protein that is produced by the immune cells of the body and the serum
concentration of rheumatoid factor reflects the activity of disease and overall
prognosis. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis factor also suggests that there is
an increased propensity to develop other autoimmune diseases and disorders that
may also affect the overall life and survival. Other diseases that are most
strongly associated with RA factor are Sjogren's syndrome and other connective
tissue disorders.
RA factor test is done to assess the treatment
response and also the risk of other diseases.
What
are the limitations of rheumatoid factor test?
Although the serum levels of RA factor are
considered fairly useful in the diagnostic process of rheumatoid arthritis, it
is however noteworthy that RA factor is neither a sensitive nor a specific test
for RA alone.
A variety of medical and metabolic
conditions can also increase serum levels of RA factor in the body. These
include:
-
Cancer
-
Systemic lupus erythematous
-
Cryoglobulinemia
-
Cirrhosis of liver
-
Chronic infections
-
Sjogren's syndrome
And chronic inflammatory or connective
tissue disorders
What
are the primary goals of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
The primary goals of treating rheumatoid
arthritis are:
-
To control inflammation
-
To manage and reduce discomfort
and pain
-
To stop progression of the
disease
The rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan
should be a multi-tiered process that includes lifestyle changes and
medication. Occasionally, surgery will be recommended to repair bone
deformities. Today’s science has had excellent results for RA sufferers.
Nowadays, more than 90% of rheumatoid arthritis patients retain independence
and mobility after having the disease for more than 10 years.
How
can you stop or delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis?
Beyond the extraneous symptoms, your doctor
may call for disease-modifying ant-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that help slow or
stop the progression of RA. Methotrexate is the most common DMARD available but
there are others such as Plaquenil, Neoral, Imuran, Cytoxan, Arava, and more.
The overactive immune system that results
from RA can be suppressed by DMARDs. This is good for slowing RA, but also bad
for your overall immunity. DMARDs are known to increase a patient’s
susceptibility to infection. Some DMARDS such a methotrexate have proven
effective in the battle against severe and late-stage RA.
To learn more about the disease process
that affects the normal functioning of joints and connective tissue in the
setting of rheumatoid arthritis, see the link below:
References:
1. Arnett, F. C., Edworthy, S. M., Bloch,
D. A., Mcshane, D. J., Fries, J. F., Cooper, N. S., ... & Hunder, G. G.
(1988). The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the
classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 31(3),
315-324.
2. Maini, R., St Clair, E.
W., Breedveld, F., Furst, D., Kalden, J., Weisman, M., ... & Lipsky, P.
(1999). Infliximab (chimeric anti-tumour necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody)
versus placebo in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving concomitant
methotrexate: a randomised phase III trial. The Lancet, 354(9194),
1932-1939.
3. Steinbrocker, O.,
TRAEGER, C. H., & Batterman, R. C. (1949). Therapeutic criteria in
rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of the American Medical Association,140(8),
659-662.
