Analysis of epidemiological factors and biological markers of rheumatoid arthritis

• Author Details:   
• Sanjay Kumar
• Ajay Bharti
• AK Gupta
• Hemraj Saini

---

View PDF

Background: Early diagnosis is crucial in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, a prerequisite for timely intervention and to achieve better outcome. A prospective study was carried out to study epidemiological factors and biological markers of rheumatoid arthritis along with NEW ACR 2010 criteria and DAS28 aimed at early diagnosis and decreased morbidity.
Material and Methods: 62 patients with various complaints indicating rheumatoid arthritis were included in this study between ages of 21 to 75 years based on new ACR 2010 criteria. Age and sex distribution, duration of disease, seasonal variation, socioeconomic status, pain in various joints, presentation with deformity and its interval from onset of disease, various biological markers (RA factor, antiCCP),disability score (das28) and VAS were observed.
esults: Most common age group was 41-50 years with female-male ratio 4:1 and most commonly within 24 months of onset of disease and during winters. Most common pattern of joint involvement was wrist and MCP> PIP > Elbow, Shoulder and Knee > Ankle >Cervical >Lumbar spihe.28 joint involvement as DAS28was seen in 69.35%, 19.36% presented with classic deformity. RA factor was positive in 64.52% and Anti-CCP in 72.7% of RA factor negative cases. Mean DAS28 was 7.38 and 53.23% had NEW ACR 2010 score of 9.
Conclusion: Anti-CCP can diagnose RA negative cases but if it is used together with DAS28 and NEW ACR 2010 score the accuracy of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis improves and early treatment can be given improving its outcome and decreasing morbidity.

Keyword: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Edpidemiological Factors & Biological Markers, Disability Score (Das28), New ACR 2010 Score