Most people fail at understanding the results of the rheumatoid factor test but this is exactly why the doctor is the one that reads test results and not the patient. If the individual shows symptoms linked with rheumatoid arthritis and the RF test comes back in high concentrations, there is a big chance that the individual has RA. The same goes with the Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms and high concentrations of RF. On the other hand, a negative RF test result does not rule out either disease. Statistics showed that 20 percent of individuals that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis will be negative at the rheumatoid factor test. This is why there is a need for more than one test to be performed.
Another thing that needs to be understood is that a positive rheumatoid factor test can be experienced in patients that do not suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. There are different conditions like cancer, viral infections, syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis or systemic lupus erythematosus that will also determine a positive RF test result. The rheumatoid arthritis factor is not 100% accurate and needs to be linked with different other tests and analysis.
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