View Full Version : I have a Question about those of us who are RA neg.
10-11-2006, 02:24 AM
I am wondering why it is that most people with SLE have a pos RA factor. I have SLE and do not have a positive RA factor. Can this be common with SLE? I have wondered about that for years. I asked one of the American Lupus Foundation Chapters about this and the lady, basically laughed at me and told me that that is because it is a totally different illness. Could anyone explain this to me and if it is common to have SLE with a pos ANA but a neg RA factor? Hugs, Kathleen
10-11-2006, 08:06 AM
A lot of the talk about antibodies is very confusing to many of us, but basically "RA" factor is rheumatoid factor, an antibody which is present in the blood of most people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but can also be present in people with lupus (SLE or other forms of lupus). RA and lupus are separate diseases, but both are "auto-immune diseases" (diseases where the body turns against itself and begins attacking its own organs by forming antibodies against them). The disease can have very similar symptoms and are often treated with the same medications, but RA tends to affect smaller joints on both sides of the body first, and can cause severe damage and deformity, whereas arthritis cuased by lupus can affect almost any joint in no particular pattern.
Many people with lupus can have what is called an overlap disorder, where they have symptoms of two or more connective tissue diseases like lupus and RA. Lupus patients can also have rheumatoid factor in their blood without actually having the symptoms of RA.
So, yes, it is very common for people with SLE to not have a positive RA test, but there are also many people who do. It really doesn't affect your lupus diagnosis.
10-11-2006, 09:05 AM
I am glad that you explained that to me. It is more clear now. I see what you are saying and now it makes sense. I didn't think that it would affect my dx, but was just wondering is all. Hugs, Kathleen :P