RESEARCH - Extra-articular manifestations of RA: a hospital-based study

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Ann Saudi Med. 2009 May-Jun;29(3):189-93.

Extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis: a hospital-based study.

Al-Ghamdi A, Attar SM.

Departments of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, King Abdulaziz

University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The frequency of extra-articular

manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis (ExRA) differs from one country

to another, so we investigated ExRA frequency in a well-defined

hospital patient population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Saudi

Arabia. We also examined possible predictors of the development ExRA.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients

diagnosed with RA at a university hospital during a 4-year period.

Cases were classified according to the 1987 American College of

Rheumatology criteria for RA, and the frequency of ExRA was recorded.

RESULTS: Of 140 patients who fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis

of RA, 98 (70%) developed ExRA features. Anemia occurred in 61%,

thrombocytosis in 16%, pulmonary involvement in 10%, and renal

amyloidosis, vasculitis and Felty syndrome were present in 6%, 2% and

1%, respectively. The mortality rate was high (16%) in patients with

ExRA. The predictors for mortality were lung involvement, age over 50

years and kidney amyloidosis.

CONCLUSION: ExRA were present in a substantial proportion of our

patients, which lead to a worse disease outcome. Anemia,

thrombocytosis and respiratory system involvement were the commonest.

Early recognition and treatment are important to decrease mortality.

PMID: 19448378

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19448378

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Read the full article here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813651/?tool=pubmed

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