Is Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Far From Being a Benign Subtype of Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Retrospective Comparative Study of Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis and Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis
Methods: Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria (n=334) were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were classified into SNRA (n=108) and SPRA (n=226) groups based on their seropositivity status. The SNRA and SPRA groups were compared regarding clinical, laboratory, imaging, and medical treatment characteristics.
Results: Gender, age at diagnosis, comorbidities, acute phase reactants, medical therapies (excluding leflunomide), anaemia, cancer, and mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference between the groups in the total number of joints where erosion was detected (SNRA: n=9 (8.3%), SPRA: n=25 (11.1%), P=0.563). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was the most common extra-articular involvement and was detected only in the SPRA group (n=9 (4.0%), P=0.034).
Conclusions: It should be noted that SNRA patients, like SPRA patients, may experience an aggressive disease course and develop erosive joint damage. Seropositivity is important regarding ILD, and necessary follow-up and treatment plans should be implemented without delay for both SNRA and SPRA patients.
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Article Information
- Article Type Research Article
- Submitted February 21, 2026
- Published March 1, 2026
- Issue Volume 12 - Issue 3 (March 2026)
- Section Research Article
