Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Rheumatoid factor and response to TNF antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of
Eva Salgado1, José Ramón Maneiro1, Loreto Carmona2
1Rheumatology Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Objective:
To systematically analyze literature with the aim of examining whether rheumatoid factor (RF) is a predictor of response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were conducted. All studies on the association of baseline RF (titer and/or status) and response to any TNF antagonists, or with enough information to estimate this association were included. Qualitative analysis and meta-analysis using random-effects approach by type of outcome response and RF test was performed. Risk of publication bias was also evaluated.
Results:
The systematic review included 18 studies of 4163 identified articles, involving 5703 patients with homogeneous baseline characteristics. The most common outcome to assess response was European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, normally merging good and moderate categories as response. The weighted mean difference (WMD) of baseline IgM RF titer in meta-analysis was higher in the non-responders group [-101.58 (95% CI -156.58,-46.59) I2=0.0]. Combined odds ratios (ORs) of positive IgM RF, positive IgA RF, and positive IgG RF to achieve good/moderate response were 1.08 (0.80, 1.47), I2=40.9%; 0.83 (0.39, 1.73), I2=39.8%, and 1.30 (0.48, 3.51), I2=62.9%, respectively. We did not find an association between a positive IgM RF and EULAR good response or remission.
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis does not support baseline IgM RF titer as a predictor of response to TNF antagonists in RA. However, this conclusion is hampered by high heterogeneity in the studies included in this meta-analysis.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway