Immunoglobulin deficiencies in treated patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Immunoglobulins and antibodies to immunoglobulins (autoimmunoglobulins) have been identified to be implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunoglobulin deficiencies have been suggested to account for the increased risk of infections in RA patients. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin deficiencies in patients with RA and the identification of putative contributing factors.