[Rheumatoid factors in Basedow's disease]

Abstract

In patients with untreated Basedow's disease rheumatoid factors were determined by Waaler-Rose and Latex tests. The Waaler-Rose test was positive in 61.5% of 143 cases. After the acute disease stage settled the titers fell in more than 90% of the re-tested cases. In 50% the decrease in titre was of two dilutions or more. The Latex test was carried out in 152 patients. It was positive in 9.2% of the cases and became negative in 50% of the cases after the acute disease stage settled. In 5 out of 6 patients in whom the test remained positive there was in addition a rheumatic disease. The detectable rheumatoid factors are regarded as auto-antibodies against immuno-globulins. This suggests that polyarthritis in Basedow's disease is based on the same pathogenetic mechanisms as rheumatoid arthritis.