Study of rheumatoid factor in a normal population

Abstract

Abstract Five thousand four hundred and sixty‐one normal individuals were tested for rheumatoid factor. The latex slide test was positive in 4.1 per cent SHC in 2.4 per cent and SSC in 0.18 per cent. There was no positive correlation of presence of rheumatoid factor and race or sex, but all tests increased in positivity with age. Physical examinations of individuals with at least one test positive for rheumatoid factor showed 5.4 percent had possible or definite rheumatoid arthritis.