Rheumatoid arthritis Factor

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9dUybjsvNY

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.