A clinical and serological study of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Clinical and serological findings in 100 patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were compared with those in 87 healthy control subjects. The incidence of non-organ-specific autoantibodies (SCAT [sheep cell agglutination test], ANF [antinuclear factor]) was much higher in patients than in controls, while the incidence of organ-specific autoantibodies (thyroid, stomach, and muscle) was slightly greater. The presence of rheumatoid factor was significantly associated with nodules. There was no significant relationship between the results of serological tests and the duration or severity of the disease or with any other clinical findings, although interpretation is complicated by the clinical heterogeneity of the group.