Results. A positive rheumatoid factor test result indicates that a high level of rheumatoid factor was detected in your blood. A higher level of rheumatoid factor in your blood is closely associated with autoimmune disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis.

What happens if RA factor is positive?

If you have seropositive RA, you have a positive rheumatoid factor blood test result. This means you have the antibodies that cause your immune system to attack joints.

Is RA a serious condition?

RA is a very serious autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues and causes severe joint pain, stiffness, severe fatigue, and sometimes deformity, usually in the hands, shoulders, knees, and/or feet.

Researchers found that between 40 and 60 percent of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for rheumatoid factor. The rest of RA patients have negative rheumatoid factor. Along similar lines, about half of people who meet the criteria for RA test positive for anti-CCP.