RF | Rheumatoid factor

Rheumatoid factor (RF) – this is a test convenient for the differential diagnosis of arthritis and for evaluating their course prognosis. However, RF is a non-specific test, with a positive RF value found in 1 – 5% of the healthy population (low titer) and 15 – 20% of elderly individuals with other chronic diseases. A positive RF result is also found in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and is variably found in non-rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, subacute bacterial endocarditis and other bacterial infectious diseases, infectious hepatitis, chronic liver diseases, chronic active lung diseases, parasitic and viral infectious diseases.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended when there is persistent joint pain.
• It is recommended to be performed prophylactically once a year, for disease diagnosis and treatment control, it is performed periodically according to the doctor's instructions.
• Test results are influenced by the medications used, nutrition (dietary supplements).
• For the test to be taken, it is necessary to arrive fasting for 12 hours.