Hello - thanks for asking your question.
The normal range for rheumatoid factor is less than 20. There are several disorders associated with an elevated rheumatoid factor. They include the following:
Rheumatoid arthritis — 26 to 90 percent
Sjögren's syndrome — 75 to 95 percent
Mixed connective tissue disease — 50 to 60 percent
Mixed cryoglobulinemia (types II and III) — 40 to 100 percent
Systemic lupus erythematosus — 15 to 35 percent
Polymyositis/dermatomyositis — five to 10 percent
Non-rheumatologic disease are alsoo associated with an elevated rheumatoid factor, including chronic infection, inflammatory or fibrosing pulmonary disorders (sarcoidosis), malignancy or primary biliary cirrhosis.
As you can see, an elevated value by itself is not very helpful since there are so many things that can cause its elevation. However, you may want to discuss the other causes of the elevated rheumatoid factor with your personal rheumatologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Bibliography:
Schmerling. Origin and utility of measurement of rheumatoid factors. UptoDate, 2003.