7SγM‐globulin in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation of its clinical significance

Abstract

Abstract Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared for two groups of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients selected from the same population by the presence or absence of 7SγM in their sera. The presence of 7SγM was significantly associated with severe articular disease, frequent subcutaneous nodules, high erythrocyte sedimentation rates, antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid vasculitis, defined by skin ulcers, skin infarcts, or peripheral neuropathy. 7SγM in sera caused γM‐globulin concentrations to be overestimated by radial immunodiffusion with 19SγM standards.