What are seropositive and seronegative diseases?
Rheumatic diseases are divided according to presence or absence of RF:
Seropositive (i.e., RF positive): Sjögren’s syndrome, RA (70%), Felty’s syndrome, SLE,
systemic sclerosis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, vasculitis.
Seronegative (i.e., RF negative): SpA, gout, osteoarthritis, RA (30%), JIA (majority),
rheumatic arthritis, Still’s disease.
NB: RF may be positive in non-rheumatological diseases like fibrosing alveolitis, chronic
hepatitis, syphilis, tuberculosis, leprosy, malignancy, and in normal population
(5–20% females > 65 years).
Rheumatic diseases are divided according to presence or absence of RF:
Seropositive (i.e., RF positive): Sjögren’s syndrome, RA (70%), Felty’s syndrome, SLE,
systemic sclerosis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, vasculitis.
Seronegative (i.e., RF negative): SpA, gout, osteoarthritis, RA (30%), JIA (majority),
rheumatic arthritis, Still’s disease.
NB: RF may be positive in non-rheumatological diseases like fibrosing alveolitis, chronic
hepatitis, syphilis, tuberculosis, leprosy, malignancy, and in normal population
(5–20% females > 65 years).