Which statement best describes RF reference values?

Which statement best describes RF reference values?

• A. RF is always positive in healthy individuals
• B. RF values are universally elevated in all inflammatory diseases
• C. RF reference value is not relevant to autoimmune screening
• D. RF reference value is negative (or very low) in healthy individuals

Answer: (D)

Rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody measured when autoimmune disease is suspected, and a reference value defines what’s normal. In healthy individuals, RF is typically not present or present at only very low levels, so the reference value is negative or very low. This makes that description the best fit: RF reference values aim to distinguish normal from abnormal levels, and healthy people usually fall at or below the negative/low threshold. It’s important to remember that a positive RF can occur in some healthy people (especially older adults) and in other conditions, so RF alone isn’t diagnostic.

Rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody measured when autoimmune disease is suspected, and a reference value defines what’s normal. In healthy individuals, RF is typically not present or present at only very low levels, so the reference value is negative or very low. This makes that description the best fit: RF reference values aim to distinguish normal from abnormal levels, and healthy people usually fall at or below the negative/low threshold. It’s important to remember that a positive RF can occur in some healthy people (especially older adults) and in other conditions, so RF alone isn’t diagnostic.