Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative

Also known as RA Factor - Quantitative

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Understanding Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative

What is Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative?

A Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test is used to measure the amount of rheumatoid factor (RF) in your blood. This test is performed to detect or monitor rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases (diseases in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues), such as Sjögren's syndrome.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an autoantibody (specific protein produced by the immune system) that is formed if you have RA. High level of RF in your blood indicates that you may have an autoimmune disease, such as RA or Sjögren's syndrome. However, not everyone who has RF autoantibodies has RA, because RF can also be found in healthy individuals in a small percentage, particularly in those who are aging.

Your doctor may suggest a Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test if you show signs and symptoms of RA, such as pain, warmth, swelling, and morning stiffness in the joints; nodules under the skin; etc. If the disease has progressed, evidence of swollen joints and loss of cartilage and bone is observed on X-ray radiographs. This test may also be done if you have symptoms suggesting Sjogren’s syndrome, such as extremely dry mouth and eyes along with joint and muscle pain. Sjogren’s syndrome can occur by itself or following RA or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with RA and/or Sjogren’s syndrome may also have other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders. Usually, no special preparation is required for an RF test; eat and drink as per your daily routine.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your liver health, and formulate your overall treatment plan.

What is Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative used for?

A Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test is done:

If there are signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as pain, warmth, swelling, and morning stiffness in the joints; nodules under the skin; etc.
To diagnose autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Sjogren’s syndrome.
To determine the severity of RA. Higher levels of RF suggests a more aggressive form of disease that may require specific therapy.

What does Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative measure?

A Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test detects and measures rheumatoid factor (RF), a specific type of autoantibody (protein produced by the immune system in response to a foreign substance), in your blood. We all have antibodies which are also known as immunoglobulins in the blood. These antibodies are protective proteins that help to fight infection. However, autoantibodies may attack your own tissues mistakenly identifying them as “foreign substances”.

An RF test is sensitive but not very specific as rheumatoid factor can also be found in the body in diseases other than RA and Sjögren’s syndrome. This autoantibody is also produced in the body during some persistent bacterial and viral infections.

Interpreting Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative results

Interpretations

High levels of Rheumatoid factor test indicates the high level of rheumatoid factor in the blood which is associated with Rheumatoid arthritis.

There are other conditions where RF test is positive that include:

Sjogren’s syndrome
Systemic Lupus erythematosus
Inflammatory lung diseases
Chronic infections
Cancer
Mixed connective tissue diseases

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative

Frequently Asked Questions about Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative

Q. What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease and is a chronic (long-term or prolonged) condition. It causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints which may even cause significant damage in the long run. This condition may develop at any age but the usual age is around 40 years. As compared to men, women are more likely to get affected; it may develop in women as early as 30 years of age. Disease progression may be slow or fast, but if untreated, it can even cause permanent damage to the joints.

Q. What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?

The risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis are increasing age, family history of RA, smoking, environmental exposures like exposure to asbestos or silica, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity.

Q. When does the doctor advise a Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test?

The doctor may advise a Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test if you show signs and symptoms like the stiffness of joints especially in the morning, pain and swelling in the joints, or underlying skin nodules. Moreover, if an X-ray shows swelling in the joint capsules along with the loss of cartilage and bone, an RF test may be advised.

Q. Is there any risk associated with a Rheumatoid Factor - Quantitative test?

No, usually there are no risks associated with this test. The blood sample is withdrawn with the help of a needle and the process is fairly fast and relatively painless. Very rarely, you may experience excessive pain, bleeding, hematoma (blood collection under the skin), bruising, or infection at the site of the needle prick. Consult the doctor if you experience any of these.

Q. Does a high level of RF mean that my arthritis is bad?

In most cases, high levels of RF indicate arthritis. However, RF levels may also increase due to Sjögren's syndrome or other inflammatory conditions. Elevated RF levels in your blood can even indicate a viral infection, bacterial infection like tuberculosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), sarcoidosis, liver disease, lung disease, or kidney disease.

Q. What other tests may be advised after an RF test?

After an RF test, anti-CCP antibody test, antinuclear antibody test, complete blood count test, and X-ray may also be advised. If a person has positive anti-CCP antibody and RF tests, then it indicates that the person has rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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