Description
Test Description:
| CODE: | RFAC |
| UNITS: | IU/mL |
| TECHNOLOGY: | NEPHELOMETRY |
| FASTING TYPE: | NON FASTING |
| SAMPLE TYPE: | SERUM |
| VOLUME: | 1ml |
| NORMAL RANGE: | < 20 |
Clinical Significance:
RF forms part of the diagnostic and prognostic marker profile of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a systemic autoimmune disorder that is responsible for chronic symmetric arthritis of peripheral joints commonly seen in adults. Progressive increase in values of RF during the first 2 years indicates the more severe course. RF titers are often associated with a difficult clinical course and generalised disease. Results from RF determinations should, however, always be evaluated in conjunction with clinical and other lab findings because low RF levels do not necessarily demonstrate the absence of rheumatoid arthritis and high RF concentration are not limited to only rheumatic diseases; additional investigations regarding existence of disease may be required.
Elevated in
- Infections (bronchitis, kala azar, leprosy, subacute bacterial endocarditis, syphilis, tuberculosis, viral infections)
- Liver disease ( biliary obstruction, cirrhosis, fatty liver, granulomas, neoplasms, viral hepatitis)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Paraproteinemia
- Raynaud’s disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Leukemia
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Values may decrease during remission but rarely becomes negative. Progressive increase in values during the first two years indicates a more severe course.
