The relation of the rheumatoid factor content of serum to clinical neurovascular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Vascular and neurologic manifestations were observed in nine patients with advanced (stages I11 or IV) rheumatoid arthritis having subcutaneous nodules and large amounts of rheumatoid factor. The possible role of corticosteroid therapy in the pathogenesis of the neurovascular lesions is discussed.Manifestationes vascular e neurologic esseva observate in 9 patientes con arthritis rheumatoide avantiate (stadios 111 e IV), le quales habeva nodulos subcutanee e grande quantitates de factor rheumatoide. Le rolo possibile de therapia corticosteroide in le pathogenese del lesiones neurovascular es discutite.

Rheumatoid arthritis: A review of the cutaneous manifestations

“…90 In 1959 the dominant schema for RV pathogenesis was attributed to RF action in the vessel wall. 158,159 Evidence for IgG RF complex-mediated major vessel vasculitis continues to persist. 160,161 High C-reactive protein levels and signs of complement consumption have implicated circulating immune complexes (CIC) deposition as the main cause of RV development.…”

IgM rheumatoid factor and low molecular weight IgM. An association with vasculitis

“…Titers rheumatoid factor are frequently markedly elevated (1) and complement levels may be moderately decreased (3,41). A correlation (43) to produce vascular injury in the rat mesentery and the production of vascular lesions by soluble antigen-antibody complexes has been demonstrated in experimental animals (44).…”

“…T h e presence, usually in increased titer, of IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) in sera from patients with rheumatoid vasculitis has been well documented (1)(2)(3). However the correlation between the titer of IgM RF and the occurrence of vasculitis has not been constant since vasculitis has occurred in patients with relatively low serum titers of this factor (1).…”

Neuropathy in Rheumatoid Disease

“…It is not possible to draw any conclusions from the titres, as the two tests are different, more than one laboratory was involved, and the technique was changed during this period. Epstein and Engleman (1959), however, noted that all their eight patients had very high titres with the F.II haemagglutination test. The neuropathy was associated with a flare in 12 cases (66.6%).…”