PHOTOMETRIC LATEX TEST FOR RHEUMATOID FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS .2. CLINICAL EVALUATION

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (3-4) , 112-122
Abstract
The photometric latex test (PLT) for the detection of rheumatoid factors was clinically evaluated. PLT titers were closely studied in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters by means of parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. An analysis of the sensitized sheep cell test (SSC) titers was undertaken. The subjects comprised 377 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 120 controls. The medical data included sex, age, diagnosis, anatomical stage, functional class, duration and course of the disease, presence of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria, blood sedimentation rate, red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration, total protein content, serum protein levels and SSC and PLT titers. A multivariate stepwise regression analysis with 8 normally distributed variables was made. A significant correlation existed between the serum protein levels and the development of RA when the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease were used as parameters of disease activity. In the RA patients there was a correlation between the serologic titers and the serum protein levels, the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease, and the sedimentation rate, thus showing that titers can also serve as a measure of the inflammatory process. There was a significant correlation between the number of ARA criteria and the titers in the RA patients but not in the controls. The course of the disease correlated with the serum titers and other inflammatory parameters. The course of the disease is an important diagnostic parameter with possible prognostic value. A correlation was demonstrated between the white blood cell count and the titers. The sedimentation rate, albumin and .gamma.-globulin levels and PLT titer are the best parameters of disease activity. The titer values are of diagnostic importance and have prognostic value regarding the severity of the disease.

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