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Rheumatology Advance Access originally published online on January 17, 2006
Rheumatology 2006 45(4):379-385; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kei228
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

REVIEW

Rheumatoid factors: what's new?

O. M. R. Westwood, P. N. Nelson1 and F. C. Hay2

European Institute for Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, 1 School of Applied Sciences, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton and 2 Centre for Medical and Healthcare Education, St George's University of London, London, UK.

Correspondence to: O. M. R. Westwood, European Institute for Health and Medical Sciences, Duke of Kent Building, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7TE, UK. E-mail: O.Westwood@surrey.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.


   Introduction
 
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a classic example of an autoimmune disorder, with chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane, and deterioration of cartilage and bone in the affected joints. The resultant pain, loss of function and permanent disability are also associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although the symmetrical joint deformities are a predominant characteristic, the disease has many systemic features. Since the pivotal studies of Waaler [1], serum rheumatoid factor (RF) estimation has been a basic diagnostic aid, varying in popularity with changes in scientific trends and with considerable controversy over its significance. Yet 60 yr later it is still recommended as a prognostic indicator of disease activity and progression in the adult and juvenile forms of arthritis [2, 3]. Science moves in paradigms and for several decades T-lymphocytes have dominated the literature, but with the devotion of persistent researchers, such as Jo Edwards, the . . . [Full Text of this Article]


   New therapies for autoimmune rheumatic diseases
 

   RF-positive RA and RF-negative RA: are they different disorders?
 

   Rheumatoid factors
 
Antigenic targets (epitopes) and rheumatoid factors
Cellular production of rheumatoid factors in RA
RF isotypes and specificity
Cytokines, Fc receptors and rheumatoid factors
Structure of rheumatoid factors

   Environmental and genetic triggers of rheumatoid factors
 
Innate immunity and autoimmune disorders
Role of virus infections in rheumatoid factor induction
Rheumatoid factor estimations in diseases other than RA
Rheumatoid factors in cryoglobulinaemia
Other environmental triggers of rheumatoid factors
Genetics and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid factors in other forms of rheumatic diseases

   Disease indicators used for rheumatoid arthritis
 
Rheumatoid factors versus anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies

   Conclusions
 

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