this is probably what is referred to as "sero-negative arthritis. " this is a form of arthritis that is characterized by inflammation (hot swollen tender painful stiff) of joints but is not associated with the classic blood (serum) test for rheumatoid arthritis called rheumatoid factor. we refer to these patients as being rheumatoid factor negative in their serum or seronegative. the term is nonspecific and it is possible for a patient's condition to evolve at a later time into a more classical identifiable disease.
what is 0-negative arthritis?