Rheumatoid factor IgA
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by chronic joint inflammation, leading to irreversible deformity and loss of physical ability in advanced stages of the disease.
Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a protein produced in autoimmune diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and others. Rheumatoid factor is generated in the joints and attacks own cells of the body, perceiving them as extraneous to the body, thus leading to chronic joint inflammation.
Determination of RF isotypes provides additional information on the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and course of RA.
High titer IgA RF
- allows to predict erosive damage of articular cartilage;
- correlates with extraarticular manifestations;
- indicates a poor clinical response to TNFα inhibitors.