Original scientific paper

Course and prognosis in seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Vjollca Sahatçiu-Meka ; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Sylejman Rexhepi ; Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Anton Kukeli ; Private internal and rheumatology clinic “Albi-med”, Peja, Kosovo
Suzana Manxhuka-Kërliu ; Institute for Pathology, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Kelmend Pallaska ; Department of Cardiology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Ardiana Murtezani ; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Mjellma Rexhepi ; Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo
Blerta Rexhepi ; Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo

Abstract

Long since it have been suggested that a subpopulation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diagnosed with negative rheumatoid factor (RF) tests, represents a clinical entity quite distinct from that of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the study was to establish a scientific comparative analysis between RA seronegative and seropositive, regarding course and prognoses of the disease. Two hundred fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the (American College of Rheumatology) criteria were retrospectively studied by analysis the course and prognoses of disease. All examinees were between 25-60 years of age (Xb=49.9, SD=10.3) with disease duration between 1-27 years (Xbox=6.41, SD=6.47). Course of the disease with “remissions and exacerbations”, progressive continual course and bad prognoses, were more presented in seropositive group of patients. Partial remission was more common in seronegative patients but according to serostatus and gender has not shown statistically significant difference. Duration of the disease was a specific prognostic sign for both subsets [(r=0.32, p<0.01) seronegative, (r=0.22, p<0.05) seropositive], while age was only a specific prognostic sign for the seropositive subset [(r=0.01, p>0.05) seronegative, (r=0.18, p<0.05) seropositive]. Seropositive and seronegative RA distinguish in course and prognostic feature, but not enough to differentiate them in two different forms of the disease. Regarding the sero-status, differences within sex, with some exceptions, are not relevant.

Keywords

rheumatoid arthritis; seropositive; seronegative; course; prognosis

Hrčak ID:

123593

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/123593

Publication date:

1.6.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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