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My two cousins on my mother's side have dealt with autoimmene disorders: mydysplastic anemia and multiple myeloma. My dad faced severe arthritis much of his life and had calcified shoulders and gnarled fingers. Now I have been diagnosed as having a high RA factor. I know I have osteoarthritis, already. Does the RA factor mean Rheumatoid arthritis or could it just confirm the osteoarthritis?
Martha, Having a high RF factor doesn't necessarily mean that you have RA. The RF is an immunologic marker in the body, found in low titer in a number of acute and chronic diseases, including infectious mononucleosis and other viral diseases, chronic bacterial infections. Many rheumatic conditions like RA and other chronic inflammatory diseases also may produce rheumatoid factors. It is also found in approximately 5% of HEALTHY elderly persons. The presence of rheumatoid factor, especially in low titer, does not automatically mean a person will develop rheumatoid arthritis. However, when found in higher titer, it does suggest rheumatic disease, but is not the sole element of a diagnosis. Statistically, patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis who have high titer rheumatoid factor are more likely to have severe disease and systemic involvement than other patients. I hope this is helpful.
I am 36, I was diagnosed with RA 3 yrs ago. I have a few of the RA nodules, they say it hurts both feet/hands at the same time, it doesn't. Yesterday my doctor call and said my RA factor was 445 and it is suposed to be between 0-13.9 and my imflamation level was 31. I want to know it that is real bad, or what does it really mean? Thanks Karen
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