IgA isotype rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical implications.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical, biological and radiological characteristics of RA with a predominant increase of IgA isotype rheumatoid factor (IgA-RF) over IgM-RF.


METHODS
The presence of IgA-RF was determined by a sandwich-type ELISA with an antibody against the human IgA used to capture the immunoglobulin. Associated RF activity was revealed with a peroxidase-conjugated human IgG Fc fragment. Forty-nine RA patients were studied, of whom 19 had an increase in IgA-RF (38%). The control group comprised 30 RA patients without IgA-RF.


RESULTS
None of the patients had isolated IgA-RF. In the selected 19 RA patients, the OD of IgA-RF (0.971 +/- 0.62 U) was higher than the IgM-RF (mean OD: 0.675 +/- 0.522 U). A statistically significant correlation was found between IgA-RF and IgM-RF (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001). No correlation was noted between the IgA concentration and the IgA-RF titer. The two groups were comparable for age, disease duration, sex ratio and previous DMARD use. We observed that patients with RA associated with increased IgA-RF more often had the sicca syndrome, but no other extra-articular features. RA patients with IgA RF also had more erosive disease: the mean Larsen score at the hand and wrist was 76 (SD = 68) versus 54 (SD = 60) in the controls, p < 0.02. Replacement surgery for the hip or knee was necessary in 47% of the RA patients with IgA-RF, versus 13% in the controls, p < 0.01. No association of IgA-RF with disease activity was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that RA patients with a predominant increase of IgA-RF had a more erosive disease and a high frequency of associated sicca syndrome.
Jorgensen
C
C
Department of Immuno-Rheumatology, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Legouffe
M C
MC
Bologna
C
C
Brochier
J
J
Sany
J
J
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor