Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients at first presentation to a specialized rheumatology department

Authors

  • Amarjit Singh Vij Department of Medicine, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Garha Road, Jalandhar
  • Anand N. Malaviya A&R’ Clinic for Arthritis & Rheumatism’ and Department of Rheumatology, ISIC Superspeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
  • Sharath Kumar Columbia Asia Hospital, Bangalore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20150329

Keywords:

Rheumatoid arthritis, Characteristics, Severity, DMARD

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, debilitating, systemic, autoimmune disease that mainly affects the diarthrodial joints. It is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in approximately 1% of adults. The main objective is to study the characteristics of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) at first presentation to a specialized rheumatology department.

Methods: The study included 122 consecutive patients with RA, fulfilling 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA at ‘Joint Disease Clinic’ of rheumatology department, at ISIC, New Delhi.

Results: The mean age was 45.3 ± 12.4 years, F:M ratio, 8.4:1; maximum patients (31.1%) belonging to age group 30-40 years. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 38.1 ± 12.9 years and disease duration mode 5 years. 88% patients were literate and 59% referred by other patients. 14.8% patients had family history of RA, 7.38% (all males) were smokers. 16.4% female patients developed symptoms of arthritis within one year after delivery. 44.3% patients had severe, 50.8% moderate, 3.3% mild and 1.6% inactive disease (DAS 28[ESR] scoring system). 28.7% patients were taking treatment from alternative systems, 25.4% from orthopaedicians, 15.6% from internists and 8.2% from rheumatologists. Methotrexate and glucocorticoids were the most prescribed drugs (50.8% each) but in inappropriate doses. 23.8% patients had co-morbidities, hypothyroidism (9%) being the commonest.

Conclusions: RA affects middle aged women. Hypothyroidism is the mostly associated autoimmune disease. The majority receive suboptimal / inappropriate treatment before visiting a rheumatologist. Most patients consult a rheumatologist at late stage in the disease often with deformities. Hence, increased awareness is needed about this disease among patients and doctors so that patients get timely referral to a rheumatologist for the proper management of this disease.

 

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Published

2017-01-10

How to Cite

Vij, A. S., Malaviya, A. N., & Kumar, S. (2017). Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients at first presentation to a specialized rheumatology department. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 3(8), 2073–2078. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20150329

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Original Research Articles