RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The predictive value of rheumatoid factor isotypes, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies for mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 2089 OP 2094 VO 32 IS 11 A1 Susanna Sihvonen A1 Markku Korpela A1 Anu Mustila A1 Jukka Mustonen YR 2005 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/32/11/2089.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of rheumatoid factor (RF) and its isotypes (IgA RF, IgG RF, and IgM RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in predicting mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The study population comprised 604 patients with RA participating in a cross-sectional study in 1987. Presence of RF (n = 604), RF isotypes (n = 206), anti-CCP (n = 184), and ANCA (n = 200) were determined in these patients from available baseline sera. Vital status was assessed in 1999 and multivariate Cox regression analysis used to compare mortality in RA patients with or without different antibodies. RESULTS: Of the 604 patients with RA, 55% were positive for RF, 66% for anti-CCP, and 14.5% for perinuclear ANCA. Twelve patients (19%) with RF were anti-CCP-negative and 34 (40%) without RF were anti-CCP-positive. Of the total 604 patients, 160 had died by 1999. Positive RF and high IgA and IgM RF levels predicted increased mortality, while positive anti-CCP or ANCA did not. However, high anti-CCP levels were related to an increased mortality risk. CONCLUSION: Patients with RA with positive RF, especially IgA and IgM isotypes, carry a risk of dying earlier than patients without these serological findings.