Analysis of rheumatoid factor according to various hepatitis B virus infectious statuses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Rheumatoid factor (RF) can be seen in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We investigated RF positive rates according to various HBV infectious statuses and vaccination, and the relationship between RF titers and serum HBV DNA levels.

METHODS:

We examined 13,670 individuals who visited the Severance Hospital in Seoul, Korea, for a routine health check-up, and obtained serum samples from all individuals.

RESULTS:

RF was positive in 3.5% of all subjects, and HBsAg was positive in 4.3%. HBsAg was positive in 21.7% of all RF positive subjects. RF was positive in 17.5% of the HBsAg positive group, while it was positive in 2.9% of the HBsAg negative group (p<0.001). The RF positive rate was increased in positive HBsAg, female sex, and older age. The RF positive rate was lower in those who had anti-HBs after HBV vaccination than in HBsAg positive subjects (2.7% vs. 17.5%, p<0.001). Among the RF positive patients, the RF titer in HBsAg positive patients were higher than that in HBsAg negative patients (159.7±217.1IU/mL vs. 83.0±179.2 IU/mL, p=0.001). The load of HBV DNA may be closely correlated with RF titer in patients with chronic hepatitis B (r=0.508, p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent HBV infection is an important cause for the positive RF in HBV endemic areas. Hepatitis B viral load is associated with RF titer. HBV vaccination may reduce the risk of RF formation.

• Authors: S T Choi, H W Lee, J S Song, S K Lee, Y B Park
• Journal: Clinical and experimental rheumatology (Clin Exp Rheumatol) 2014 Mar-Apr Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 168-73 ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 24143967 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Rheumatoid Factor

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Female
• Hepatitis B (epidemiology, immunology, physiopathology)
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Acuity
• Republic of Korea (epidemiology)
• Rheumatoid Factor (analysis, blood)
• Sex Factors
• Statistics as Topic
• Viral Load