title: Course and prognosis in seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Long since it have been suggested that a subpopulation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diagnosed with negative rheumatoid factor (RF) tests, represents a clinical entity quite distinct from that of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the study was to establish a scientific comparative analysis between RA seronegative and seropositive, regarding course and prognoses of the disease. Two hundred fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the (American College of Rheumatology) criteria were retrospectively studied by analysis the course and prognoses of disease. All examinees were between 25-60 years of age (Xb=49.9, SD=10.3) with disease duration between 1-27 years (Xbox=6.41, SD=6.47). Course of the disease with "remissions and exacerbations", progressive continual course and bad prognoses, were more presented in seropositive group ofpatients. Partial remission was more common in seronegative patients but according to serostatus and gender has not shown statistically significant difference. Duration of the disease was a specific prognostic sign for both subsets [(r=0.32, p<0.01) seronegative, (r=0.22, p<0.05) seropositive], while age was only a specific prognostic sign for the seropositive subset [(r=0.01, p>0.05) seronegative, (r=0.18, p<0.05) seropositive]. Seropositive and seronegative RA distinguish in course and prognostic feature, but not enough to differentiate them in two different forms of the disease. Regarding the sero-status, differences within sex, with some exceptions, are not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosova. vjollca_meka@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vjollca
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sahatçiu-Meka
authors.forename: Sylejman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rexhepi
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kukeli
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manxhuka-Kërliu
authors.forename: Kelmend
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pallaskas
authors.forename: Ardiana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murtezani
authors.forename: Mjellma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rexhepi
authors.forename: Blerta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rexhepi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012217:Rheumatoid Factor