Rheumatoid Factor
- PMID: 30422493
- Bookshelf ID: NBK532898
Rheumatoid Factor
Excerpt
Contrary to what the name suggests, rheumatoid factors (RF) are found not only in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but in a wide range of pathologies including other autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases. They have been found in up to 4% of young, healthy individuals and the elderly as well. Rheumatoid factors are antibodies with various isotypes and affinities, directed against the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G. The commonly mentioned rheumatoid factor is an IgM RF, although other immunoglobulin types, including IgG and IgA, are rarely found.
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