Frequency of extra-articular manifestations in cohort of Pakistani patients presented with RA at Independent University Hospital Faisalabad.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of extra articular manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients at independent university hospital Faisalabad. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Rheumatology Division of Internal Medicine Independent University Hospital Faisalabad. Period: January 2019 to December 2019. Material & Methods: Consecutive Three hundred and twenty-three adult patients of either sex, of age between 20-60 years with baseline RA fulfilling the 2010 criteria of American College of Rheumatology. Extra articular manifestations were assessed. Chi square test was used to compare the frequency of extra articular manifestations among different disease duration, age groups, seropositivity and disease score. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 323 patients with RA were assessed in this study. Extra articular manifestations were assessed according to clinical presentation. 15.2% (49) patients were found to have lung involvement with predominant interstitial lung disease. Rheumatoid nodules were found in 9.9% (32) patients. 3^rd most common extra-articular manifestation was sicca syndrome, seen in 3.7% (12) patients followed by neurological 2.2% and cardiac was 1.5%. Other extra-articular manifestations were seen in 2.8% of patients. Conclusion: it is very important to assess the extra articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis. Early assessment and early intervention can decrease the disease morbidity and mortality.