Common risks associated with Rheumatoid Factor Test

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There are several tests available in the evaluation and examination of the health status of human being. One of such tests is Rheumatoid factor (RF) test. It is a test used in determining the presence of antibody in the blood. It is done with the aid of a reagent kit on the done drawn from a patient.

Common risks associated with this condition include bleeding, infection and pain.

Reasons for the test
The RF test is primary requested in patients with sign of rheumatoid arthritis to guide the medical personnel in ascertaining whether the patient is suffering from rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis or other forms of arthritis. It can also be carried out in determining other kinds of inflammatory conditions.

Principle
The rheumatoid factor is an anti-antibody which is detectable in the laboratory using red blood cells human immunoglobulin G (lgG) to bind and form clumps. The patient’s blood that attached to the lgG coating in the red blood cells and causes clumps indicate the presence of rheumatoid factor and the condition is referred to as agglutination. Agglutination is suggestive of the positive reaction that indicates the presence of rheumatoid factor at a detectable level.

Determinant of normal range
The results of rheumatoid factor are interpreted in two ways viz: less than 40 to 60 units per millilitres or less than 1:80 titre or 1 to 80 titre. The values are determined or interpreted depending on the kit that is used to test for the factor.
Low range results imply the absence of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, however, some normal healthy individuals had tested positive for rheumatoid factor.
People with a positive rheumatoid factor have high levels or titres in their blood and this is common in most patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. A high level in the result will definitely affirm the presence of antibody in the blood.
Conditions that influence Rheumatoid Factor levels
Common conditions that influence high levels and titres of rheumatoid factor include: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis, Dermatomyositis, Adult Still’s disease, hepatitis, AIDS, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, parasitic infestations, bacterial infections, tuberculosis, kidney disorders, endocarditis, leukaemia and multiple myelomas as well as lung and liver diseases.