When persistent joint pain strikes, the search for answers often leads to a crucial diagnostic tool: the rheumatoid factor test. This relatively quick blood analysis serves as a window into the immune ...

A rheumatoid factor (RF) test detects rheumatoid factor, a type of antibody (proteins that fight off harmful substances) in your blood. RF antibodies sometimes attack healthy cells and tissues, ...

While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, genetics play a significant role, with the HLA-DR4 gene increasing the risk. However, most people with RA are the only ones in their family ...

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a type of antibody, an immune system protein that helps the body fight foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, called antigens. Antibodies, also known as ...

Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis share similar symptoms, but Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection from ticks, while the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis ...

Patients at risk of rheumatoid arthritis may wonder if there are lifestyle factors that play a role. What are some of the factors that you can discuss with them, and what can you recommend they do?

Among a cohort of first-degree relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), certain patient characteristics, as well as symptoms, helped predict a possible increased risk for developing the ...

You can get rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at any age, but it’s most likely to show up between ages 30 and 50. When it starts between ages 60 and 65, it’s called elderly-onset RA or late-onset RA.

The rate of disease progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be associated with a poor prognosis in patients. The rate of disease progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ...