The functional affinity of IgM rheumatoid factor is related to the disease duration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relevance of the functional affinity of IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) to the clinical and serological characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
The functional affinity of IgM RF of 57 seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients was evaluated by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay based on the use of a chaotropic agent. The inhibition index was taken as an estimate of functional affinity. The patient group was divided into high functional affinity subgroup 1 (functional affinity < 0.5, n = 37) and low functional affinity subgroup 2 (functional affinity > 0.5, n = 20). The medical records of all patients were reviewed with a particular note of the disease activity and the articular damage score.


RESULTS
The disease duration was shorter (P < 0.01) in subgroup 1 patients [7.9 (SD 6.4) years] than in subgroup 2 patients [13.4 (11.29) years], so that Ritchie's, Lee's, and Steinbrocker's indices were lower in the former than in the latter (P < 0.01, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively). In contrast, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, C reactive protein concentrations, antinuclear antibody, and HLA DR4 prevalences were similar in the two subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Different forms of RF are present during progression of the disease.
Saraux
A
A
Unit of Rheumatology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, France.
Bendaoud
B
B
Dueymes
M
M
Le Goff
P
P
Youinou
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor