Which of the following best represents the impoance of Rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid ahritis?
High-Yield Explanation
Rheumatoid factor (RF) consists of heterogeneous autoantibodies of the IgM class that react against the Fc region of human IgG. It is found in 70% of rheumatoid ahritis patients and is associated with a worse prognosis, since higher levels of rheumatoid factor are associated with more aggressive disease, rheumatoid nodules and extra aicular manifestations. Ref: Elective Hand Surgery: Rheumatological and Degenerative Conditions, Nerve Compression Syndromes By Michel Merle, Page 97 ; Measuring Immunity: Basic biology and Clinical Assessment By Michael T. Lotz, Page 189