So lately some questions about the rheumatoid factor and what it means. I visited my RD today and asked him a few questions. Here's what I got (paraphrased) ...
1. So my RF has decreased from 224 at diagnosis to 80 last month. What does that mean? Does it mean a decrease in disease activity? Answer: Good guess, in my practice I have seen a decrease in the factor with treatment, but there aren't any studies related to it.
2. Is there any correlation between higher factor levels and disease activity, or prediction of severity? Answer: We can't say for either that because there are no studies to substantiate that.
3. Okaaaay ... so what is this factor all about? Answer: Well, few have spent the time studying it because studies are focused on ways to stop damage. But, positive results are a predictor of severity -- in otherwords, you are more at risk of a more severe disease progression if your factor is positive. (Though I am sero-positive, this I don't dwell on this given that new drugs and treatment strategies are changing the course of disease progression, and risk does not equal guarantee.)
He did go on to talk about the factor resulting from B cells, whereas the belief is that RA itself is a T cell issue. So, though a B cell factor, it is an RA predictor and diagnostic criteria.
So there we go ... no more clarity on what the levels mean. You're positive or you're not.
lol well I am glad you got that cleared up! At least you found out a little bit.