The lupus patient with positive rheumatoid factor

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by diverse clinical manifestations and autoantibody profiles.
• Identifying distinct patient clusters can improve understanding and management of SLE.
• The role of rheumatoid factor (RF) in SLE patient profiles requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific clinical and serological characteristics of SLE patients with positive rheumatoid factor (RF).
• To determine if RF positivity is associated with particular disease manifestations or autoantibody patterns in SLE.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 467 SLE patients from a single rheumatology unit.
• Collection and comparison of epidemiological, clinical, and serological data between RF-positive and RF-negative patients.
• Statistical analysis, including univariate and logistic regression, to identify independent associations.

Main Results:

• Rheumatoid factor (RF) was present in 24.9% of the studied SLE patients.
• Univariate analysis showed associations between RF and malar rash, anti-Ro, anti-Sm antibodies, and hypothyroidism.
• Logistic regression identified independent associations of RF with protection from glomerulonephritis and a higher prevalence of anti-Ro antibodies.

Conclusions:

• In this SLE cohort, RF positivity was associated with a reduced incidence of glomerulonephritis.
• The presence of RF in SLE patients correlated with an increased prevalence of anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies.
• These findings suggest RF may indicate a distinct immunological profile within SLE.