RF-ACTIVITY, AGE OF MANIFESTATION AND RAD IOLOGICAL PROGRESSION OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The outcome of RF-activity (measured by hemagglutination in the modifi cation of Podliachouk-Harboe) was investigated in 95 patients with RA. In 52 of these patients the radiological progression (modification of Larsen index for hands and feet) in correlation to the outcome of RF was assessed. The results can be summarized in the following way: 1. E lderly RA patients show a significant elevation of RF titer. 2. There is a statistically insignificant correlation between age of RA manifes tation and RF level. 3. The investigation of individual RF outcome sho ws that 54% of the patients have a relatively constant RF level, 15% t end to a decrease of the level of RF activity. Increased RF activity c ould only be demonstrated in 31% of the patients in the follow-up. 4. We more often observed a decrease of RF activity in RA cases with a di sease manifestation < 30 y. We found no significant decrease in the fo llow-up in cases with manifestation > 60 y. 5. RA patients with a high level of RF activity (HAR > 1 : 512) have a significantly higher radi ological progression index than cases with a low RF activity (HAR < 1 : 512).