Rheumatoid factor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
One hundred sixty-six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were surveyed and their sera tested for the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF). Fifteen were positive whenever tested, with titers of at least 1:40; the remainder were either positive only in titers of 1:20, were inconsistently positive or were persistently negative. The former group were less likely to have severe manifestations of SLE, less likely to have required treatment with "high-dose" steroids or a cytotoxic drug, and less likely to have had an episode of herpes zoster. We conclude that in patients with SLE, RF may be a reflection of relative immune competence so that they are partially protected against the more serious manifestations of SLE and the development of herpes zoster.
Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203.
D
D
Feldman
D
D
Feldman
E
E
Ginzler
D
D
Kaplan
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000150:complications; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D012217:Rheumatoid Factor