Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Rheumatoid Arthritison Biological Therapy

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disorder that most commonly affects the joints, causing progressive, symmetric, erosive destruction of cartilage and bone, which is usually associated with autoantibody production.

Objectives: To examines female versus male perspective concerning prevalence, clinical features, complication and functional classes in rheumatoid arthritis patients on biological therapy.

Subjects and Methods: A descriptive; cross sectional study conducted at Baghdad teaching hospital in Baghdad city, (convenient sample) included 210 patients already diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The data collection continued for the period starting on 1th December -2020 ending on 1^st April, 2021.

Results: the majority of rheumatoid arthritis cases were females 173 (82. 4%) and 37 of them (17.6%) were males. Female to male ratio was 4.6:1. Mean of age was (50.81 ± 11 years). The majority of studied sample had primary education 38% and unemployed 80%% for both sexes. Males reported to have family history of rheumatic diseases (40%) more than females (24%); smoking also higher in males compared to females 29% vs. 6%. Clinical features were worse in women than men; morning stiffness 64% vs. 62%; fatigue 81% vs. 64%; loss of appetite 33% vs. 10%; weight loss 23% vs. 2%. Similarly complication reported to be more frequent in female patients specifically osteoporosis and sicca symptoms (45% vs. 27%; 50% vs. 32%) respectively.

Conclusion: Females to males ratio was 4.6:1. Clinical features, functional classes and complications worsen in female patients.

Recommendation:Special attention must be given to females rheumatoid arthritis patients particularly in postmenopausal period to prevent complication and deformity of the disease; Health education regarding early diagnosis, early initiation of effective therapy and regular exercise.